European Amateur :: Scots gunning for prize

A field of 144 of Europe’s leading amateurs will take to St Andrews’ Duke’s course tomorrow. Their aim? Capturing the European Amateur Championship crown, and with it, a place in next year’s Open.

Previous winners of the coveted prize include this year’s Open Championship winner and runner-up: Rory McIlroy and Sergio Garcia. Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher also got his hands on the trophy 20 years ago, and a 17-strong contingent of home based players will be hoping to follow in the Dubai Desert Classic winner’s footsteps this year.

Among the Scots seeking European Amateur glory is recently-crowned Scottish Amateur champion Chris Robb. A victory for Robb would mean his fourth win in a row on home soil, as well as a place in next year’s Open on the Old Course at St Andrews.

Cawder Golf Club’s Jamie Savage has the best handicap of all the Scots involved at +4.7, the eighth best in the field in total.

All home-based players have a handicap of +1 or better, with three Scottish players among the ten best handicapped players – the most of any nation.

England’s Ashley Chesters is set the man to beat at the European Amateur Championship. However, one man in with a shot at taking Chesters’ crown is Italian Renato Paratore, the highest ranked player in the field at No.5 in the world standings.

Paratore is paired with Paul Dunne, who played in last month’s Open at Royal Liverpool. He and Irishman Dunne tee off in the first game of the day bright and early at 7am.

Keep up to date with the European Amateur Championship

You can stay in touch with action at the Duke’s by following the SGU on Twitter @SGUGolf. Highlights from the tournament will also be available to watch on Sky Sports.

If you want to make the trip to St Andrews for the European Amateur Championship to see the golf at first hand, entry is free all week for spectators.