Sam Locke (R&A photo)
CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND (July 22, 2018) - If The 147th Open is any indication, the future looks bright for golf in Scotland. The Silver Medal is coming home.
Scotland's own
Sam Locke, 19, finished as the low amateur on the week at Carnoustie to win the Sliver Medal. He was the only one of four amateurs to play the weekend after shooting opening round scores of 72-73 to make the cut on the number.
"It's a great feeling to have won the Silver Medal," said Locke. "And make the cut in my first major as well."
Locke played his best round on Saturday, getting into the red with a 1-under 70. In the windier conditions on Sunday he shot 78 for a 9-over 293 total.
Coming full circle for Scotland's success at Carnoustie, amateur Sam Locke is a product of 1999 Champion Golfer of the Year Paul Lawrie's academy in Aberdeen. He hails from nearby Stonehaven, just about an hour's drive north along the coast from Carnoustie.
Past Silver Medal winners include Jose Maria Olazabal, Tiger Woods, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy.
"It's really nice to know you're in the company of some of the great names in golf," said Locke. "Hopefully, if I can just keep working hard and doing what I'm doing, there's no reason why I can't become a big name."
Locke hopes to ride the momentum and make the Walker Cup team next year as well as meet McIlroy.
“I've never met Rory yet, no, but we'll see. Hopefully,” said Locke.
Final Amateur Leaderboard
72-73-70-78=293 (T75) Sam Locke, Scotland
72-76=148 (MC) Nicolai Hojgaard, Denmark
80-74=154 (MC) Yuxin Lin, China
79-79=158 (MC) Jovan Rebula, South Africa
ABOUT THE British Open
The most coveted trophy in the game and one
of the most iconic in all of sport: more
commonly referred to as the Claret Jug.
Within
minutes of winning the British Open, the
"Champion Golfer of the Year" gets his name
engraved on that cup, and a place in golfing
history.
Amateurs have played an
important role in the tournament over the
years, with players like Sergio Garcia, Justin
Rose, and more recently Alfie Plant stepping
into the international limelight with their
golfing
performances.
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