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Richie Ramsay,23 of Scotland beat John Kelly of St. Louis in the 36 hole final at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Richie Ramsay discards American John Kelly after a flawless final round for the young Scot, highlighted by missing only two of Hazeltine's fairways, and missing only a single green in regulation. Ramsay built a 3 hole lead over Kelly after only 13 holes. Kelly, whose biggest victory prior to coming so far in the U.S. Amateur was winning the Missouri State Championship, made a charge during the afternoon round of the 36 hole final moving to one down after the 24th, but was unable to capture another hole the rest of the match from Ramsay. Both Ramsay and Kelly were looking at birdie putts on the 34th green as Kelly lipped his birdie putt out of the hole, and then conceded the hole and the match to Ramsay. Richie Ramsay becomes the first Scotsman since 1898 to capture the Havemeyer trophy, the award given to the U.S. Amateur's champion. Though the Scots have not fared well in the U.S. Amateur, foreign domination continues as three of the last four champions have been from Europe and Austrailia. Ramsay follows Eduordo Molinari of Italy as European Champs. Ramsay, when asked about his win, responded, "I think this could have a big impact on Scottish golf". Ramsay followed a succesful 2005 season, capturing the Irish Amateur Stroke Play Championship. Ramsay has guaranteed himself a spot as long as he retains amateur status in the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club, the 2007 Open Championship (British Open) at Carnoustie, and will probably be invited to the 2007 Masters at Augusta National. Ramsay was the most excited about playing in the 2007 Open Championship to be contested at Carnoustie, near Ramsay's home course of Royal Aberdeen. Hazeltine National Golf Club, which hosted all but the first two days of play, played as the longest U.S. Amateur course of Amateur history at 7,453 yards. Hazeltine has hosted two U.S. Opens, and most recently a PGA Championship in 2002. Quarterfinalists Yip, Keuhne, Fisher, Kelly, Simpson, Prugh, Fowler, and Ramsay will all receive exemptions from qualifying as long as they retain their amateur status for the 2007 U.S. Amateur at the Olympic Club. More information about the championship may be found at:
http://www.usamateur.org/