There will be one Scottish hopeful in the last four of the Amateur Champ-
ionship today after Sandy Scott and Euan Walker set up a quarter-final tussle with each other at Portmarnock.
Scott, the former Scottish Boys’ Strokeplay champion from Nairn, booked his last eight place with a battling 2&1 win over Spain’s Eug-enio Lopez-Chacarra, while Barassie man Walker showed his fighting qualities to edge out Jonatan Jolkkonen of Finland at the 19th hole.
Walker, the winner of the Africa Amateur Championship this season, had been three down after eight holes against Jolkkonen but rallied to restore parity and win on the first extra hole.
Scott, meanwhile, dug deep against Lopez-Chacarra in a nip-and-tuck joust and edged in front for the
first time on the 15th before
making a match-winning birdie on the 17th.
“I was all over the place at times,” conceded Scott, who is reacquainting himself with the links game after returning from college in the US.
“I was scrambling like mad and I think he got a little frustrated when I was making pars from the rough.
“I kept doing it and he had good chances that he missed. When I got my chances, I was able to convert them.
“The putter was definitely key. I was holing some putts to halve holes and my wedge game was also strong to stay in it.
“Playing all these kinds of links shots again, it feels like a few years ago when I was growing up as a junior just playing around Nairn.
“It’s funny having to play them again but you have some confidence having played them in the past.”
Earlier in the day, Scott earned his place in the last 16 with a 2&1 win over Daniel O’Loughlin in the morning’s ties.
The Scot had been four up through five and well in command but was pushed to the 17th before putting the tin lid on the win.
Walker enjoyed a more comprehensive triumph and eased to a 5&4 victory over Italy’s Riccardo Leo to progress.
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