Rory McNamara is now the highest ranked Irish player in the world Irish Amateur Open champoon Robbie Cannon will be heading for the British Amateur Championship thanks to his win at Royal Dublin on Sunday.

The 34-year old, who leapt 1628 spots in the World Amateur Golf Ranking to 1796th, is exempt the winner of a category B event in the 12 months to May 19.

The Dubliner was not named in the official six-man party nominated by the GUI selectors for the trip to Royal Cinque Ports and Prince’s in Kent from June 17-20.

And he would not have made the event on handicap either, despite entering the Irish Amateur Open off plus 1.6.

As for the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Headfort’s Rory McNamara moved up two places to 43rd and overtook Florida based West Waterford man Kevin Phelan (44th) as Ireland’s leading player.