Jamie Savage wins Irish Amateur

After five years without a Scottish amateur winning a 72-hole strokeplay title, Cawder’s Jamie Savage won the Irish Amateur Stroke Play at the weekend, securing a two-shot success at The Royal Dublin club thanks to a stunning shot to the final hole.

A member of the SGU’s National transitional squad, Jamie Savage is the first Scotsman to lift the title since Gavin Dear in 2009. Indeed, Savage is the first Scot to win a premier 72-hole stroke play event on the GB&I circuit since Dear’s victory in the same event.

The 19-year-old finished on level par in windy conditions, the only player in the international field not to score above par for the tournament.

Jamie Savage, last year’s East of Scotland champion, finished two shots clear of a quartet of players that included Irish Close champion Cormac Sharvin and the long-time leader Gary McDermott from Carton House.

Coached by his father, Stewart, the professional at Dalmuir GC, Jamie Savage fired a final round of 71 that featured an impressive level par back nine and gives the Scot his first major international win.

Jamie Savage – Irish Amateur Strokeplay champion

He hit a stunning 203-yard rescue to 10 feet at the 18th to set up what proved to be a winning par.

“I played nicely all week and just glad that I pulled it off, especially after being beaten in a play-off a couple of weeks ago in the Battle Trophy,” said Jamie Savage, who came from three strokes behind overnight leader McDermott (76) to triumph.

“I was only the three behind at the start of the day and I had a number in my head, thought if I could get under par, thought I would have a chance. Any under score par was good.”

Jamie Savage’s win builds on Bradley Neil’s recent third-place finish at the Lytham Trophy, illustrating a positive start to the domestic 2014 season by Scotland’s players.

Meanwhile, Dunbar’s Alexander Culverwell, the reigning Scottish Amateur champion, today shared 11th place on seven over par.

Nick MacAndrew (Royal Aberdeen), who defeated Savage in that play-off to win the Battle Trophy at Crail Golfing Society on the SGU Men’s Order of Merit earlier this season, also placed inside the top-20.