Eric McIntosh marvels at Murcar Links

• Eric McIntosh clinches Scottish Boys’ title at Murcar Links
• The Bruntsfield Links teen beat Lewis Irvine 2&1 in the final
• “This is the biggest success of my junior career,” he said

Bruntsfield Links’ Eric McIntosh achieved his biggest victory in the junior ranks after producing a dominant display to win the Scottish Boys’ Amateur Championship at Murcar Links.

The 17-year-old claimed a 2&1 success over Lewis Irvine from Kirkhill to take the trophy back to the Lothians for the first time since GB&I Walker Cup player Grant Forrest triumphed in the matchplay event in 2010. McIntosh was behind early in the 36-hole showdown, but after moving one ahead at the seventh he was always ahead before closing out a keenly contested tussle.

The youngster adds his name to the Scottish Boys’ roll of honour that includes Andrew Coltart, Scott Henry and David Law – who was watching the final – and understandably, he was delighted with his week’s work.

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“It feels amazing,” said McIntosh, a member of the Scottish Golf Academy. “I did not expect to be sitting here with the trophy this week. It was a very tight match but I holed a lot of putts at crucial times which kept me a nice two-up cushion and it was great to sink the putt to win it, what a feeling.

“It’s a long week, coming through eight ties to win, and a highlight was beating Jamie Stewart, the third seed, in the fifth round. This is definitely the biggest success of my junior career. I guess I’ve had quite a low key career as an amateur, but my coach David Patrick has really brought my golf along in the last two years so that has definitely helped. I’d love to go on now and win the Scottish Boys Order of Merit, that would be amazing.”

After a host of surprise results at Scottish Golf’s flagship boys’ event, where 234 players competed representing 129 clubs, scratch player McIntosh stood firm to emerge victorious and add to his two junior titles at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, while he is also part of a strong junior section at Murrayfield.

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