Victory in amateur final would earn McElhinney spot in Masters

IRELAND’S Brian McElhinney ended Oliver Fisher’s dream of becoming the youngest-ever winner of the British amateur championship at Royal Birkdale yesterday.

Disappointed with his season so far, 22-year-old McElhinney came to Birkdale thinking he might have to win to be part of Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup side in August.

Putting will be vital in Chicago and it was that part of his game which took him through one up against Fisher. He made two early 30-footers, and after being pulled back to level, converted birdie chances from 20 and 14 feet at the 15th and 16th.