By Martin Dempster - The Scotsman

John Kennedy holds off John Laurie and Richard Johnston in exciting finis

Congratulations to Ethan Fang, The 130th Amateur Champion

Ethan Fang and Gavin Tiernan produced an epic final day at The Amateur Championship, with Fang birdieing the 36th hole to claim a 1-up victory over the Irishman.

The pair had been involved in a close battle throughout the day, with Tiernan taking a 1-up lead into the afternoon session after a close contest in the morning.

Never moving more than 1-up, Tiernan saw his advantage disappear at the 19th hole, with Fang parring to get back to all-square.

From there, the duo halved the next three holes, with Fang moving ahead for the first time in the match at the par 4 fifth, the 23rd hole of a marathon final.

From there, Fang never found himself down in the match, regularly moving 1-up and back to all-square as the day wore on. However, it was at the 14th and 15th where the Amateur World No.7 made his move.

Birdieing the 14th (32nd), he then parred the 15th (33rd) which, thanks to Tiernan, meant he moved 2-up with three remaining, all but securing his first amateur victory.

Tiernan, though, is no quitter and, after rolling in a lengthy birdie putt at the 16th (34th), he then followed it with a 20-footer for birdie at the 17th (35th) to take the match down the last at all-square.

Driving off, both men found the fairway but, hitting first, Fang put his approach to five-feet and, with Tiernan under pressure, he pulled his wedge left and off the green.

Although he gave his putt a good go, it slid by the left side and, with that, Fang was able to convert for a 1-up victory, securing a spot at The Open Championship in three weeks, as well as next year's Masters and US Open.

"I didn't really know what to expect this week, coming into it," stated Fang after his victory, which was the first by an American at The Amateur Championship in 18 years.

"Getting to play The Masters and an Open Championship is pretty sweet. I had signed up for a couple of amateur events but I think I'll have to cancel that and go play The Open."

Do you remember this fellow who was regarded as one of the finest Scottish amateur golfers of his time and considered a folk-hero?

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