Stuart Grehan edged the talented Estonian Richard Teder 2&1 to book his spot in the 131st Amateur Championship final at Hoylake.
Grehan makes it back to back Irishmen to appear in the Amateur Championship final after Gavin Tiernan’s dream run last year but the County Louth man will be hoping to go one better than his clubmate and secure his Walker Cup spot and all the rewards that go with one of golf’s most prestigious titles.
“Yeah, I’m delighted. Really tight, tight match there. Richie, know him very well, so I knew he would produce some good stuff, which he did. Luckily I produced some good stuff myself. Yeah, thrilled,” said Grehan who will face American Matt Moloney in the 36-hole decider which begins at 08.32am.
The 32-year-old was a convincing 5&4 winner over Edward Featherstone in the quarter final but his match with Teder was nip and tuck for the duration. There was never more than one hole in it until the 17th and Grehan, who went 1UP on the 2nd, was never behind.
Grehan went 1UP on the fourth and carried that lead as far as the 9th before going in front again with a chip in birdie on the par-3 11th.
“Yeah, that was nice. I just birdied eight, ten, and then obviously a little bit of a bad tee shot there but just fancied it the second I got there to go to lob wedge. And to be honest, about six feet out it was just tracking in nicely, dead in the middle, so that was nice, yeah. Special moment.”
Teder levelled on the 14th but a birdie on 16 and par on 17 was enough for Grehan to shake off the challenge of last year’s quarter finalist.
“I probably let a couple holes slip, especially 12 and 13, holes I probably should have won. If I’m being honest. I think Richie would probably agree. So you’re kind of thinking 3-up there and you’re only 1-up and suddenly I lose 14 so it’s all square. So, yeah, I was getting a little bit agitated.
“And 15 I had a chance and missed it. Look, I played the last couple holes really well. Luckily good enough and just the conditions were quite tricky.”
Grehan is looking to become the first Irishman since James Sugrue in 2019 to win the Amateur Championship, eighteen months after regaining his amateur status after a stint in the pro ranks.
A win would secure a massive title, all but clinch a Walker Cup spot for Lahinch in September, a place in the Masters, US Open and Open next year while there is the Amateur Open series this year with the top player after Lytham, the Amateur and European Amateur heading to Royal Birkdale next month.
“It would be foolish of me to say that you’re not thinking of that. I mean, I’m sure Matt is thinking exact same as me.
“Look, when I get on the first tee tomorrow I’m going to park all that and just one shot at a time. That’s what I’ve been kind of doing all week. So, yeah, just same tomorrow.
“County Louth. Everyone there, tell them where I’m from or where I grew up, I’m sure they’re out watching as well. Yeah, obviously being a member at County Louth last eight years has been incredibly special. I won the east of Ireland there a few weeks ago, first member in 42 years to win it.
“So that was pretty cool as well. And, look, they’ve been excellent to me. It’s a great club. Just really proud to be a member there.”
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