FULFORD’S Charlie Thornton has been crowned England Golf’s top junior player after winning the Boys’ Order of Merit.

Thornton finished more than 2,000 points ahead of his nearest rival – Surrey’s Angus Flanagan – to claim the 2016 honours.

In his final season of boys’ golf, Thornton has enjoyed many high finishes, most notably reaching the quarter finals of the Boys’ Amateur Championship.

Topping the merit table, meanwhile, represents the perfect end to his junior career with the 18-year-old enthusing: “It means the world to me.

“It’s an endorsement of all the hard work me and my coach, Steve Robinson, have put in over the years. I’ve been with Steve since I was six years old and getting the basics in place has taken many hours of practice - but it’s helped create a solid foundation and I’ve had a consistent year with lots of good finishes.”

In the Amateur Championship at Muirfield, Thornton was only beaten by the eventual champion on the 18th green.

Representing Yorkshire in the English Boys’ County Finals was another highlight for the teenager, who went on to win all six of his games at that competition.

Now, he’s planning to push on and make inroads in the men’s game.

“It’s a big step up, but I know I have the credentials to give a good showing and I’m really looking forward to the new season,” he declared.

“Between now and then, I’m going to make sure I put in the hours of practice needed to be ready when the new season kicks-off. What I’m not looking forward to is the cold weather!”

The final Boys’ Order of Merit standings: 1 Charlie Thornton (Fulford, Yorkshire) 43262.083 points; 2 Angus Flanagan (St George's Hill, Surrey) 41381.500 pts; 3 Jake Bolton (Ogbourne Downs, Wiltshire) 40776.417 pts; 4 Oliver Clarke (Hillside, Lancashire) 40095.792 pts; 5 Danny Daniels (Essendon, Hertfordshire) 38448.083 pts.