Scots victory for Bolton as Van Rooyen earns Euro first

JAKE BOLTON joined a decorated roll of honour as he captured the Scottish Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at the Duke’s course in St Andrews last night.

The Wiltshire golfer, who led after 36-holes, recovered from a third round 76 with a fine seven-under 64 to finish with a 12-under 272 as he won by a shot from his fellow Englishman, Sam Bairstow.

Bolton conjured a telling late burst and a brace of birdies at the 16th and 18th gave him the title as he etched his name on to a trophy alongside well-kent faces like Bernard Gallacher, Ronnie Shade, Charlie Green, Colin Montgomerie, Gordon Brand Jnr and Tommy Fleetwood.

“This is a really nice way to end the season and to win it in such an iconic place like St Andrews is special,” said Bolton.

“Seeing my name next to some great players is also brilliant and a really great reward for some of the free-flowing golf I played out there this week.”

Bairstow closed with a 66 and a 70 for a 273 while Kilmacolm’s Matthew Clark was the best-placed Scot in third place after final day rounds of 69 and 71 left him on a 276 aggregate.

On the European Tour, meanwhile, South Africa’s Erik Van Rooyen was “over the moon” after making a birdie on the final hole to win his first title in the Scandinavian Invitation.

Van Rooyen carded a closing 64 at Hills Golf & Sports Club to finish 19-under-par, a shot ahead of England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, who had birdied the 17th and 18th to also post a 64.

Home favourite Henrik Stenson, who held a share of the lead after making a hole-in-one on the sixth, finished in a tie for third with South Africa’s Dean Burmester after both men shot 66.

Van Rooyen began the day with a one-shot lead and looked to be in control after six birdies in his first 13 holes, but crucially bogeyed the 17th after Fitzpatrick birdied the same hole.

Fitzpatrick, who won this title in 2016, also birdied the last to draw level on 18 under but Van Rooyen held his nerve to birdie the last for the fourth day running, holing from 12 feet for the win.

“It’s too good, it’s hard to describe,” Van Rooyen said. “I was so nervous on 18. On 17 I was fine I just didn’t hit that (par) putt hard enough and then I asked (his caddie) Alex (Gaugert) ‘what are we at’ and he told me Matt went birdie-birdie.

“I’ve been putting so well all day and to hole that one to win, it’s my first one, it’s pretty cool.

“I’ve come close a bunch of times and every time I’m in contention the question gets asked. Now I’m over the moon.”