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Irishman Mark Power has struggled to reach the quarter-finals of the Amateur Championship and has kept hopes alive for back-to-back Irish champions at Royal Birkdale.
By eliminating Englishman Jack Dyer in the morning’s tie, Power arranged an afternoon showdown with German Marc Hammer, who emerged victorious at the Starnberg Open on the Pro Golf Tour last week.
Earlier in the day, Hammer ended the hopes of Brabazon Trophy champion David Ravetto, defeating the French 2 & 1.
However, his winning ways were stopped by Power, who took control of the game early and was up four after five holes.
It was a close battle between Power and Hammer with the German riding a comeback to be just one down after 15 holes thanks to impressive golf that included birdies on the sixth, seventh, 14th and 15th.
Power also produced a birdie on the 15th to cut the hole in half, another on the 16th saw him go up two with two holes to play.
When the 17th hole was halved with pairs, the Irishman sealed a 2-1 win.
“I’m delighted,” 20-year-old Kilkenny Power said afterward. “I knew it was going to be difficult to face Marc, he obviously beat a good player in David Ravetto this morning so I knew I would face that.
“James Sugrue won it last year and I play a lot of golf with him. When you see him win it, you’re a little jealous when you see him play in the Open and the Masters that are coming up. In a position to have a chance to do the same. it’s huge.
“When you see some of the big names that have won the Amateur, it really shows what is possible.”
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