PORTMARNOCK, Ireland (AP) - James Sugrue of Ireland started strong and was solid at the end for a 2-up victory over Euan Walker at Portmarnock to win the British Amateur.
Sugrue built a 5-up lead after nine holes on the Irish links north of Dublin and never trailed in the 36-hole championship match. He still had to hang on at the finish as Walker rallied to square the match with two holes to play. Sugrue won the 35th hole with a par, and Walker lost the final hole with another tee shot into trouble.
The victory gives the Sugrue an exemption into the British Open next month at Royal Portrush, along with the Masters next April.
The British Amateur was held in Ireland for only the second time, most recently in 1949.
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