The sub-plot to the Open Championship was comparable with the main show at St Andrews.

Two young Scotsmen battling it out for the silver medal. And it wasn't merely a token contest, as it is most years. Lloyd Saltman had to birdie the 18th to see off Eric Ramsay. His three took him to five under and he won by one shot.

"Absolutely delighted," said 19-year-old Saltman. " Hopefully I can stay in this form for the Walker Cup."

Ramsay isn't even in the Walker Cup.

This, he said, had been the experience of his life. When Ramsay thinks of the 68 that he carded in his last round, he'll be hard put to better it.

He thought that when he gets back to his home, Carnoustie, there may be a few folk who would like to shake his hand.

Edoardo Molinari, one of four amateurs to make the cut, finished on one over par and Matthew Richardson, the other, from Worcester, had a last round of 76 for a commendable five over.

Saltman insisted he will not be turning professional in the immediate future. After closing with a five under par total of 283, he said: "I am not going to change any career plans.

"I am looking forward to the Walker Cup and it may be another two years before I turn pro."

Saltman putted up and over the Valley of Sin from 30 yards to two feet and celebrated as the ball dropped into the hole for a 71.

"I needed that. I saw what Eric shot in the morning and it was a great birdie," said Saltman. "The Walker Cup is my main goal, but winning the silver medal here is a fantastic bonus for me.

"You have got to enjoy people watching and cheering you on. I got to two under today (and six overall) and then hit a couple of slack shots. That happens."

Yet his Open dreams almost came to a dead stop at the first hurdle, regional qualifying.

He finished joint 14th at Renfrew and only clinched a place in the final qualifying through a play-off.

"Sometimes, you need a bit of luck," he said.

Ramsay set down a difficult marker with a closing 68 and a four under par total of 284.

When Saltman moved to six under after 12, it seemed the medal was in the bag. However, he then bogeyed the 13th and 17th to bring him level with Ramsay.

Saltman then showed a maturity beyond his years to get the birdie when needed, with the silver medal staying in Scotland for a second successive year following Stuart Wilson's victory last July.