Stuart Grehan wins Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool

Stuart Grehan of Ireland won the 131st Amateur Championship on Saturday, defeating American Matt Moloney by one hole in a tense 36-hole final at Royal Liverpool. The 33-year-old from County Louth secured the biggest victory of his career and became the first Irish winner of the prestigious amateur title since James Sugrue in 2019.

Grehan's triumph earned him exemptions into next month's Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, the 2027 U.S. Open, and, by tradition, an invitation to the Masters Tournament. He joins a storied list of champions that includes Sir Michael Bonallack, José María Olazábal, and Sergio Garcia.

The final was a back-and-forth affair. Moloney, a 20-year-old University of Georgia junior, controlled the morning session, building a three-hole lead after the 12th as Grehan struggled with his swing. The Irishman, ranked 46th in the World Amateur Golf Rankings, rallied with a birdie on the 13th and won three of the next five holes to square the match. Moloney regained a one-hole lead with a birdie on the 18th.

The American’s advantage disappeared quickly after lunch. Moloney made a double-bogey on the 19th and a bogey on the 20th, handing the lead to Grehan. The...