Stuart Paul has taken a major stride towards his first senior international cap by winning the Carlsberg North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

In yesterday's final, the tall, Tandragee two-handicapper defeated favourite Graeme McDowell by 2&1 after a tight match in which never more than two holes separated the pair. the pair were never separated by more than two holes

Paul took the initiative when he holed from 30 feet for birdie on the fourth after McDowell had left his pitch stiff for par and the new champion was two up at the turn.

However, Paul conceded the 12th hole after encountering bunker trouble and the tussle was all flat square when new Walker Cup cap McDowell fired a super two iron to six feet for birdie at the short 14th.

Paul got a fortunate break at the next hole when his second approach hit the flag and presented him with a birdie three to go one up and, after McDowell's 15-footer for birdie rimmed out at 16 the match ended on the 17th green. Paul was 15 feet away in three with McDowell just five feet from the pin. Paul lagged his putt up close for a safe par five but McDowell three-putted..

Paul explained: "I knew the green was slippery and I was taking no chances of slipping past, as Graeme did. I just lagged up."

In the semi-finals, McDowell beat David Jones after leading for the first time at the 17th, while Paul was five up at one stage against Mark O'Sullivan but struggled to close the match 3&1