Spectacular finishes have been strongly identified with Royal Dublin since Christy O'Connor Snr shot a closing eagle, birdie, eagle to capture the Carrolls International there in 1966. And one of its leading members, Eamonn Brady, has maintained the tradition - a long way from home.

By finishing birdie, birdie, eagle, Brady swept to victory in the Duke Classic, a major inter-collegiate tournament in North Carolina. Rounds of 71, 70 and 68 gave him a seven-under-par aggregate of 209 and a one-stroke winning margin in the 54-hole event.

Now in his final year at East Tennessee University, the Irish international helped his team to fifth place overall. And a measure of Brady's achievement is that the field included Bryce Molder, currently the top-ranked amateur in the US, along with Matt Kuchar, who made a sensational impact on last April's US Masters in a share of 21st place.

Brady returned to East Tennessee at the end of August which meant that he was forced to miss the recent Royal and Ancient squad session at Nairn GC.