Limerick's Cian McNamara won the R&A Junior Open Championship by three shots at Royal Musselburgh, near Muirfield yesterday

The 16 year old shot a one over par 71 in the third and final round to finish ahead of Korean girl Da-Sol Chung on three under par.

McNamara was three clear of Dane Peter Meldgaard starting the day and maintained that lead to the end.

Once Meldgaard took a quadruple bogey nine at the 15th, McNamara only had the tiny Korean to worry about.

"I lost a couple of tournaments over the last two weeks in Ireland because I was thinking too much about the opposition," said McNamara.

"Once Peter had the nine I knew he was out of it. I knew my other playing partner, the Korean girl, was a bigger danger.

"She is some player and I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes something special in the ladies' pro game."

McNamara paid tribute to his father Dermot, who followed him for all three rounds.

"He has been a tremendous help to me," he said. "I've proved this week that I have go the game to play at this level.

"I have a long way to go but some day I would like to think that I'll be good enough to be a European Tour pro."

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© Brian Keogh 2002

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