Grehan held his nerve at Royal Liverpool Golf Club to beat American Matt Moloney by a single hole after a marathon week
Stuart Grehan reacts to his victory during the Final of the 2026 Amateur Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club (Image: Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
Ireland’s Stuart Grehan was crowned the 2026 Amateur Championship winner on Saturday after a dramatic 36-hole final.
Grehan held his nerve at Royal Liverpool Golf Club to beat American Matt Moloney by a single hole after a marathon week.
The biggest victory of the 33-year-old’s career also sees him qualify for The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale next month, while earning invitations to the 2027 Masters and U.S. Open.
Grehan, who hails from Tullamore, now plays out of County Louth Golf Club and became the second player from the club to reach the final of the prestigious tournament in as many years.
In 2025, Baltray golfer Gavin Tiernan also reached the final, only to lose on the last hole to American Ethan Fang.
This time, however, the roles were reversed as Grehan, who went down the final hole after losing the 34th and 35th, held off the gallant Moloney.
A total of 288 players teed it up in the championship, with a 36-hole stroke-play qualifier determining the match-play field. By the end of the week, Grehan was the last man standing.
“I’m absolutely over the moon. So much hard work has gone into it,” Grehan said. “This morning I got off to a really slow start. I was really struggling with my swing and lunch came at a good time to reset.
“I went in at lunch on my own and took a few minutes. I spoke to Dean (Robertson, GB&I captain), and I met with my coach, Dave Ruddy, on the range. We talked through a couple of things. I played really well this afternoon and hit some great shots.
“Obviously, coming down the stretch, there were a few iffy ones, but there’s so much pressure on and so much at stake that it’s bound to happen. I played the last hole really, really well and got the job done.
“The support was amazing. They (the County Louth members) are the most supportive club in Ireland, to be honest. They go everywhere. My boss came over today, my coaches came over, my family came over.
“The atmosphere was brilliant for both of us. To do it in front of them was really incredible.
“I’m going to be buzzing for The Open. I’ll absolutely love it. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I’m going to the Masters as well. I haven’t even thought about that. I’ll just relish it and take it all in.”
The victory sees Grehan’s name added to a roll of honour that includes Jose Maria Olazábal, Sergio García and legendary Irish amateur Joe Carr.
It also caps a remarkable few weeks for Grehan, who made a hole-in-one on his way to winning the East of Ireland Championship at his home club at the end of May.
He will now join the likes of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and fellow Offaly man Shane Lowry in the field for next month’s Open Championship.
Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.