Gregor Graham bolstered his growing reputation with a fine victory in the South African Amateur Championship at Royal Johannesburg.
The 20-year-old from Blairgowrie, the older brother of Walker Cup teenager Connor, eased to a 4&2 win over Jordan Burnand in the 36-hole final.
It was the fifth Scottish win in the championship in 13 years and followed victories by Michael Stewart (2011), Brian Soutar (2012), Daniel Young (2015) and Craig Ross (2016).
Graham, a winner against the professionals on Paul Lawrie’s Tartan Pro Tour last season, had been one-down early on but a barrage of five birdies in six holes from the sixth saw him assume command.
After 15 holes, the Scot was five-up but Burnand rallied to pinch a couple of holes back before the South African reduced the deficit to two early in the afternoon’s second circuit.
In a nip-and-tuck tussle, Graham gave himself more breathing space with a birdie on the 30th hole and the Perthshire man closed out the match to secure the biggest amateur title of his career.
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