Perth golfer Daniel Young has targeted the Walker Cup after making a stunning start to the amateur season.
The Craigie Hill player made his big breakthrough by winning the prestigious South African Amateur Championship, and followed that up by clinching his first big domestic title of the year at the weekend – the Battle Trophy at Crail.
The impressive double will have thrust the 23-year-old into the Walker Cup selection mix, and if he was to complete a hat-trick of significant wins he would be hard to overlook.
Next up is the Lytham Trophy, which is the venue for the clash with the Americans later in the year.
Young, who came from eight shots behind to capture the Battle Trophy, said: “I’m not in the Walker Cup squad but after this Battle Trophy win and some good results in recent weeks it’s getting more and more that way.
“It was something in the back of my mind but then I knew I needed to keep winning and I’ve taken another big step this week here at Crail in capturing the Battle Trophy.
“My next event is the Lytham Trophy where they’re playing the Walker Cup this year so to win the South African Amateur title and to win here in Crail is certainly going to do my Walker Cup chances good.”
As well as his two big 2015 triumphs Young, who is coached by Ladybank professional Sandy Smith, was runner-up in the recent Scottish Champion of Champions at Leven GS and shared eighth place in last week’s Craigmillar Park Open.
Fellow Perthshire amateur Bradley Neil is unlikely to be in the Walker Cup as he is expected to turn professional after the US Open.