Majestic McElhinney’s double boost

BRIAN MCELHINNEY became the first Republic of Ireland golfer to win the British Amateur championship since the late and great Joe Carr captured the trophy for a third time in 1960.

The 22-year-old from the North West club in County Donegal comfortably beat Scotland's John Gallagher he of the weird-looking cross-hand grip five and four in the 36-hole final at Royal Birkdale on Saturday.

And as a result McElhinney will play in next month's British Open at St Andrews and next April's Masters at Augusta. A Walker Cup debut in Chicago in August also awaits.