Home favourite Calum Scott was left tearful with emotion after joining the likes of Tiger Woods, McIlroy and Justin Rose as winner of the prestigious Open Silver Medal for top amateur, but he will resist the obvious temptation of immediately turning pro.

There was an outpouring of affection for the 20-year-old from Nairn in the Scottish Highlands as he overcame a late wobble to finish the tournament at eight over, three clear of nearest challengers Jacob Olesen of Denmark and America’s Tommy Morrisson.

Tall and powerful off the tee, Scott’s performances this week have immediately catapulted him into the bracket of ‘hot property’ particularly as he goes to the same American college, Texas Tech, that has recently produced Ryder Cup sensation Ludvig Aberg.

Scott was watery-eyed heading towards the final green and waved his cap to loud cheers from the 18th grandstands including friends and family after completing his landmark achievement.

But even in his moment of exhilaration, he had the clarity of mind to not abandon his Sports Management degree which has a year to run, even though joining the Tour afterwards is a major ambition.

Calum Scott was emotional after he managed to secure the Open Silver Medal for top amateur

Scott managed to overcome a late wobble as he finished the tournament at eight over

‘Super-happy, excited, buzzing, relieved as well,’ beamed Scott as he summed up his emotions after joining a list that includes some golfing greats.

‘There have been a bunch of Silver Medal winners that have gone on to do incredible things. It’s one of the highest honours you can win as an amateur. I’m very proud of myself.

‘The last hundred yards walk to the 18th green, I got kind of emotional. I still had two putts to hit so I couldn’t relax but I was embracing it. It was a memory I’ll have forever and cherish for a lifetime.

‘I’ve got a year left at college and it’s a no-brainer to go back and try to compete there for my PGA Tour card. This is a really cool accolade to have and obviously puts me in a good position going forward as I transition into pro golf.’

Scott moved to Texas Tech in Lubbock – the 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡place of music legend Buddy Holly – in 2021 after being talent-spotted by respected golf coach Greg Sands.

He led his fellow amateurs by three strokes overnight and played a nerveless front nine including a 365-yard drive into the third that was considerably further than Dustin Johnson managed in the match behind.

By the time he tired and dropped five shots between the 11th and 17th, his amateur rivals were already back in the clubhouse with their race run.

Woods won the Silver Medal in 1996 and two years later Rose famously holed out from the bunker at Royal Birkdale to finish fourth in the overall championship as a 17-year-old.

Greg Sands was full of praise for Scott and described him as being a ‘freak’ physically

Scott managed to finish three clear of his nearest challengers Jacob Olesen (L) and Tommy Morrison (R)

McIlroy (2007) and Matt Fitzpartick (2013) are also proof the honour of leading amateur can lead to big things.

There are cautionary tales too which make Scott’s decision to resist turning pro right away look wise.

His compatriot Sam Locke was the Silver Medal winner at the 2018 Open and turned professional afterwards. So far, it remains the one and only Major he’s played in.

Rose missed 21 cuts in a row after turning pro before turning things around and going on to become a US Open winner and Olympic gold medallist.

Sands says of Scott: ‘Physically, he’s a freak. He’s probably six-two or six-three, and really long and lean and just creates a lot of power.

‘His cruising driver is probably carrying 320 and he’s got another gear if he needs it.’

After a disappointing sporting summer for Scotland because of the Euros, they will celebrate in Nairn, a small fishing port of 10,00 people north-east of Inverness.

Scott is looking forward to returning home and if his career trajectory is anything like Aberg, he’s going to have many more fantastic moments ahead.

‘Ludvig is a great role model for other golfers,’ he added. ‘I got to spend two years with him. We knew he was good, but we didn’t know he was that good!

‘He’s a proper nice and humble guy, great to get advice from. Yeah, I’d be happy to follow in his footsteps.’