Royal Lytham here we come?

Scotland's terrific triumph in the European Amateur Team Championship in Sweden at the weekend should guarantee at least two home representatives in the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup for September's match with the USA at aforementioned Lytham.

Two years ago, there was much muttering and gnashing of teeth when the GB&I line-up was devoid of any Scottish presence. It was the first time that had happened since 1949.

In this game of fluctuating fortunes, those fortunes have improved and Scotland's 4 ½ - 2 ½ victory over Denmark in Saturday's final at Halmstad in Sweden was evidence of that. Three decades after Colin Montgomerie and his team-mates enjoyed success at the same Swedish venue in 1985, the Scots claimed a seventh European crown and a first since 2009.

Grant Forrest and Jack McDonald were the lynch-pins, as they both picked up an impressive haul of five points from a possible six during the matchplay stages.

Forrest, who reached the final of last month's Amateur Championship, and McDonald, beaten in the last four of that event at Carnoustie, are staking strong claims for a GB&I call-up and they continue to burnish their impressive CVs in the man-to-man format.

Bearsden's Ewen Ferguson, the former Scottish and British Boys' champion who has won twice on the domestic circuit this season, is also very much in the hunt for a spot in the 10-man side and Nigel Edwards, the GB&I captain, remains a keen admirer of the young Scot.

Leading 2-0 after the morning foursomes during Saturday's clash, Scotland had to stave off a spirited fightback from the Danes.

McDonald edged out Toft Hansen 2&1 to get the Scots ahead again before Forrest won the final two holes to turn his match with Norgaard Muller around late on and clinch the crown.