Cork native James Sugrue has pulled off a massive shock by winning the British Amateur Championship this afternoon, one of the two most prestigious amateur events in the world of golf.
Ranked 249th in the world amateur rankings heading into the event, Sugrue was not one of the fancied competitors.
The championship was held in Portmarnock Golf Club in Dublin, the first time it has been on the Dublin peninsula since 1949. The championship is split into stroke play and matchplay events over six days, with top placed players in the stroke play moving on to compete head to head in matchplay.
Sugrue would advance to the final, where he faced Scotland's Euan Walker in a 36-hole decider. Taking a three hole lead into the final round, he would ultimately seal victory on the very last hole.
The Amateur Champion is @JamesSugrue2 of 🇮🇪
This putt sealed his 2 hole victory over @euanwalkergolf 🏴 at @PGC1894 🙌🇮🇪🏆 pic.twitter.com/SCJ095NJEe— The R&A (@RandA) June 22, 2019
The 2019 Amateur Champion is @JamesSugrue2 🙌🇮🇪🏆 pic.twitter.com/LnxF32JOc6
— The R&A (@RandA) June 22, 2019
Sugrue is the first Irish player to win this event since Brian McElhinney in 2005.
Not only is this a magnificent achievement in itself, but it will also secure Sugrue's entry to some of the biggest events in golf over the next 12 months. The 22-year old will play in The Open in Portrush next month, as well as the US Open and The Master in 2019.
