There’s a lot to think about when you get to the final of the Amateur Championship. “It’s amazing to have major championships on the line,” said Barassie’s Euan Walker, who became the sixth Scot in the last 10 stagings of the unpaid game’s showpiece to reach the last two with another spirited showing at Portmarnock yesterday.
Like a seductive siren warbling on a rocky outcrop, the prospect of winning a place in next month’s Open and invitations to the 2020 Masters and US Open can be quite a distraction. Oh, and you also have to think about the size of your mantelpiece, because the cherished old Amateur Championship trophy is a wonderfully magnificent monument of golfing conquest.
Walker, who made his international breakthrough earlier this season by winning the Africa Amateur Championship, edged out his fellow Scot, Sandy Scott, at the 19th hole of a tight quarter-final tussle before beating Englishman Ben Jones by a 2&1 margin to set up a final showdown with Irishman James Sugrue.
Bradley Neil was the last Scottish winner of the Amateur Championship title at Portrush in 2014, while Robert MacIntyre (2016), Grant Forrest (2015), Michael Stewart (2011) and James Byrne (2010) have all been beaten finalists in the last decade.
Walker, 23, will be hoping to add his name to a distinguished roll of honour but, unless there’s been a mass overnight migration of followers from Ayrshire to the outskirts of Dublin, he is well aware of where the support will lie.
“I’m just going to have to try to handle the home crowds,” he said. “I’ve never been in this situation before when everyone is going to be rooting against me, although I’m not quite sure if that will be true. A win in the final would top my career.”
In his morning match, Walker had been two down to compatriot Scott after 12 but hauled himself level and inched ahead for the first time in the tie on the 16th.
Scott, the former Scottish Boys’ Strokeplay champion who has enjoyed an impressive season on the US college scene, restored parity with a birdie on the last but Walker triumphed with a birdie of his own at the first extra hole.
“It was tough to play against Sandy as we are obviously good friends,” said Walker. “I think we both played well in the morning and it was a shame for either of us to lose.
“I actually think he got very unfortunate at the first extra hole, which I didn’t realise at the time. He was in a divot and that caused him difficulty with his approach.”
Walker’s semi-final joust with Jones was equally as nip-and-tuck and after getting his nose ahead with a birdie on 13, the Scot found himself two up with two to play when his opponent conceded the 16th.
Walker finished the job off with a par on the 17th to set up the biggest day of his career so far.
“It could have gone either way again against Ben,” added Walker. “The quality of the golf wasn’t as good in the afternoon but it was much windier.
“It was back and forth but I felt on 13 that I finally got the edge. I’ve been working hard for so long, so to achieve this and get to this stage in such a big event is absolutely amazing.”
A win for Walker today would also earn him an automatic place in the GB&I Walker Cup team for September’s match with the USA at Hoylake, although he has certainly proved his worth this week already. The defeated Scott too has bolstered his hopes of a pick with his run to the last eight.
Sugrue, meanwhile, will be a tough test for Walker and his 3&1 win over world No 7 David Micheluzzi in the other semi showed his qualities.
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