Newton takes away spoils but Purcell puts down Cup marker

Conor Purcell missed out on his country’s blue-riband amateur title as the Flogas Irish Amateur Open went to England’s James Newton — but Ireland’s highest-ranked player hopes his runner-up finish at Co Sligo impressed the watching Walker Cup selectors.

Newton left Rosses Point last night as the surprise champion, having come into the tournament placed at 2,710 in the World Amateur Golf Rankings before heading back to Macclesfield with the biggest victory of his career.