Sugrue is the toast of Ireland as he sees off Scot Euan at Portmarnock
James Sugrue savoured success on home soil yesterday as he secured the 124th Amateur Championship at Portmarnock.
The Irishman thrilled around 3,000 spectators at the renowned links near Dublin to defeat Scotland’s Euan Walker in an exciting 36-hole final. Sugrue was five-up after nine holes but was forced to survive Walker’s sterling comeback to all-square before clinching a one-hole win on the final green.
Played in glorious weather, Sugrue’s fast start and sharp short game skills proved key as the Mallow member became the first Irish player to win the famous title since Alan Dunbar in 2012.
By virtue of his triumph, the 22-year-old gained exemptions into The 148th Open at Royal Portrush next month, the 2020 US Open at Winged Foot and, by tradition, an invitation to play in the Masters Tournament.
Ranked 231st on the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Sugrue was never behind against Walker as he came out on top of the 288-player international field assembled at Portmarnock for the club’s second staging of the championship.
Kilmarnock Barassie player Walker, 23, ranked 71st in the world, was three down after the morning session, but after Sugrue went four up at the 20th the Scot launched his fightback after winning the next two holes.
Sugrue, who has enjoyed five top-20 finishes this year, claimed the 24th but his advantage was cut to just one hole after Walker’s birdie at the 26th.
The Irishman responded with a birdie at the 28th to go two ahead again, but the battling Scot refused to go away. He won the 31st with a birdie and then squared the
contest at the 33rd after Sugrue’s bogey.
However, willed on by the home fans, Sugrue won the 35th with a par after Walker found trouble off the tee and sealed victory at the last when his opponent again pushed his tee shot right and failed with two putts from the back of the green.
Sugrue is the eighth Irish winner of The Amateur and joins a list of past champions that include major winners José María Olazábal, Sergio Garcia and, more recently, Matteo Manassero and Romain Langasque.
He said: “It is hard to believe really. It hasn’t sunk in yet.
Just to think about this win is unbelievable. Everything that comes with it and all the crowds that were out there, it’s incredible.
“It’s more relief than anything else really to get over the line, especially after being three up going into the afternoon session. I’m just delighted to do it.” On playing in The 148th Open at Royal Portrush, Sugrue said: “I can’t wait. It’s unreal. I’m really looking forward to it. I love Royal Portrush, it’s probably one of my favourite links courses, second favourite to Portmarnock.” Scot Walker said: “I was pretty nervous this morning, I don’t think there is anybody in my position that wouldn’t be nervous
“I’ve never played on such a big stage before.
“To get it back to all-square I had a chance going down the last three holes but I wasn’t very good off the tee on 17 and 18,.
“I had loads of messages from people last night, like my friend (European Tour player) Robert Macintyre, which was really nice. It was a great week and I’m absolutely gutted to lose.”