Aberdeen’s Dylan Perry was overwhelmed but focused on playing more patient golf after reaching the British Amateur final at Royal St George’s in England.
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Perry never trailed in his semi-final against Argentina’s Alejandro Tosti to win 3 and 2 and become the first Australian to reach the final since 2011 winner Bryden Macpherson.
Perry, whose home club is The Vintage, will face Englishman Harry Ellis in the 36-hole decider from 5pm Saturday (AEST).
“I am overwhelmed, that’s for sure,” said Perry, who has played and trained with The Sanctuary Cove club on the Gold Coast this year.
“I’ve been patient all day, all week really. It’s nice to get the outcome and get into the final tomorrow. I’m stoked.
“Anyone is going to be nervous playing in The Amateur Championship final but I am just going to play like I have been all week. I’ll be patient and just enjoy it. It’s an experience in itself. I’ll go out tomorrow and do what I’ve done all week and see what happens.
“I won the Riversdale Cup in March and it would be unreal to follow that up with a win here. It would definitely top the year – that’s for sure.
“I had never played with him (Alejandro Tosti) before and he was definitely a gritty competitor. It’s always a good win to beat a player of his standard.”
Ellis defeated European Amateur champion Luca Cianchetti 3 and 2 to make the final against Perry. The winner receives exemption into the British Open at Royal Birkdale, the 2018 US Open and Masters.
Perry led at the fourth hole after Tosti made bogey. The Argentine got to square on the fifth, but Perry led again at the sixth and maintained his advantage.
The 22-year-old extended his lead at the eighth with par then birdie three at the ninth. Tosti pulled one back at the 11th but Perry regained his three-hole edge when Tosti hit two out of bounds at the 14th.
In the morning quarter-finals, Perry beat Norwegian Jarle Kaldestad Volden by one hole.