England’s Jake Bolton birdied two of the last three holes while Scotland’s Matthew Clark bogeyed for them for a four-shot swing that won the Scottish Amateur Strokeplay Championship at the Duke’s Course, St Andrews.
The wire-to-wire leader from the Ogbourne Downs club in Wiltshire needed his strong finish to overcome Scottish international Clark and countryman Sam Bairstow, who claimed second place one shot behind the winner.
Bolton’s birdie at the last proved the key to victory, his approach leaving him the same putt right of the flag as he had in the morning’s third round, which he also holed.
“It was a pretty similar putt I had this morning, So I knew what I needed to do when I got over the ball,” he said afterwards. “I knew it was inside right and hit it well, and thankfully it went in.
“This is a really nice way to end my season and to win in such an iconic place as St Andrews is special. Knowing my name is going to be beside some of these great players in this trophy is brilliant and a reward for the way I played this week.
“I’m planning to stay amateur for another year at least and see how it goes. Hopefully this can be the springboard to a strong run and I can make the Walker Cup team in 2021.”
Clark, the bank manager and Scotland international who also reached the semi-finals of the Scottish Amateur at Crail earlier this month, was in contention until he bogeyed 16 and 18 to fall to third.
Former winners of the Scottish Strokeplay include Tommy Fleetwood, Paul McGinley, Stephen Gallacher, Andy Sullivan and Richie Ramsay.
