US Amateur: Richie Ramsay has put himself into the golfing history books by becoming the first Scot to win the United States amateur golf championship.
The 23-year-old Stirling University student, who won the 2005 Irish Strokeplay Championship title at Carton House, was always in the driving seat in the 36-hole finale over the tough Hazeltine National course at Chaska, Minnesota against 21-year-old John Kelly from St Louis Missouri and won the title and the Havemeyer Trophy by 4 and 2.
The victory also secured his place in the Masters, British Open and US Open in 2007.
And he already knows who he will partner in the first two rounds at Augusta next April - defending champion and world number two Phil Mickelson.
Some 36 years ago, the Hazeltine National course, which has par-fives over 600 yards long, was the scene of Tony Jacklin's epic win over the Americans in the 1970 US Open.
Now a Scot - the first to contest the final since Jack McLean lost to Johnny Fisher at the 37th in 1936 - has capped a glory week by winning one of the most coveted golf titles in the world.
The 23-year-old Scot, who represented Britain and Ireland at last year's Walker Cup, sealed victory in the 36-hole final after being conceded a 12-foot birdie putt at the par-four 16th after Kelly missed from a similar distance.
The Royal Aberdeen member had led by two holes after the morning round, winning four of six holes from the par-three eighth to take control of the match.
Although Kelly trimmed his advantage to one in the afternoon with a birdie on the 21st hole, he never got any closer.
"I can't believe my name is going to be on that trophy," he said.
Last year, Italy's Edoardo Molinari became the first European champion, since Jack Hilton in 1936, with a 4 and 3 win over American Dillon Dougherty at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
In last year's Walker Cup match at Chicago, Ramsay partnered his golfing buddy Lloyd Saltman in the foursomes but did not get a game in the singles on either day.
"I've had the 2007 Walker Cup in the back of my mind ever since," said Ramsay, who is committed to staying an amateur until at least September 2007.
"I'm just a guy from Aberdeen who loves playing golf. I work hard at it, and it just shows what someone can do when they put their mind to something. I think the celebration will last quite a while when I get home."
