Corhampton’s Scott Gregory made England international Nick Marsh fight all way before he was crowned England Amateur Champion at Saunton.

He resisted Gregory’s battling qualities to take the title 2&1 on a blustery afternoon on the north Devon links, dubbed the best course never to have hosted the Open Championship.

The 19-year-old from Yorkshire was, for many, the favourite to lift the championship, and he was never behind for the 35 holes played.

But he was made to battle it out in front of a large and appreciative crowd before landing the biggest prize in English amateur golf.

The end came on the long 186-yard par three 17th when, with Marsh needing just a half, Gregory conceded after his chip from the left ran 45 feet across the green before hitting the cup, and spinning out, while Marsh left his birdie putt close.

Gregory, just a month younger than Marsh, began the week well down the amateur ranking. But he has put himself on the national golfing map with what he has achieved and seems set for greater things.

“I’m very happy for what I have done this week,” he said. “I kept fighting back all day. I’ll never give up but Nick played really well, he’s a great champion and it was a pleasure playing with him.

“I expect most people expected him to win but I gave it my best shot and I’m happy with the way I performed.

“The final showed I can play well under pressure and now I’ve got to push on to be one of the best in the country.”

One up at lunch, when he probably might have been further ahead after missing two short putts on the 15th and 17th, Marsh pushed on in the afternoon, winning three holes in four from the second where he chipped-in for an eagle-three.

That run included a birdie at the fourth and at four-up he seemed to be sailing to victory.

But Gregory knew differently.

A 20-foot birdie at the sixth followed by a winning par at the next cut the deficit in half but Marsh replied with a birdie of his own at the eighth.

When Gregory airmailed the green at the par four tenth the lead was back to four but again Gregory wouldn’t lie down.

Back he came with another 20-foot birdie on 11, while a par at 12 saw Marsh’s advantage back to two.

They swapped the 13th and 14th to leave Marsh still two-up and, after halves at the 15th and 16th holes, the end came at the 186-yard 17th.

“When I went four down for the first time I knew I still had plenty of holes left. I wanted to put Nick under pressure and I did the best I could. Nick was the better player on the day and deserves the title.

“I thought my chip on 17 was in but it wasn’t to be,” said Gregory. “But I’ve had a great week. There are things I need to work on but I can go away happy with what I’ve achieved.”

“Wow, what a match,” said Marsh “It was a ping-pong tussle with both of us winning holes at different times but to get this title is unbelievable.

“At the 17th I hit the best three-iron I’ve hit all week. When Scott hit his tee shot left of the green it opened the door for me but I still had to get the job done.”