Conor Purcell missed out on his country’s blue-riband amateur title as the Flogas Irish Amateur Open went to England’s James Newton — but Ireland’s highest-ranked player hopes his runner-up finish at Co Sligo impressed the watching Walker Cup selectors. English duo Charlie Strickland and Arron Edwards-Hill shared third place on three-under-par, closing with a 73 and 74 respectively. “For the two Irish events I’ve played, I’ve had two seconds, so couldn’t have asked for more,” Purcell, ranked 21st in the world, added. He had applied plenty of pressure on Newton, who had shot a third-round 69 on Saturday to lead at 12-under-par. “I don’t show much emotion, to be honest,” Newton said, “That’s just the way I am.

Source: Irish Examiner May 20, 2019 04:30 UTC