Gavin Moynihan is the top Irish player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Picture by Pat CashmanSchoolboy sensation Gavin Moynihan might be Ireland’s No 1 amateur but he won’t get the chance to go for glory in next month’s Irish Open at Royal Portrush.

The 17-year old from The Island pulled off a shock victory in the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin last weekend to become Ireland’s top ranked player in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, soaring 225 places to 101st.

But his win came too late to secure one of two Golfing Union of Ireland nominations to rub shoulders with superstars Rory McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell or Darren Clarke on the Dunluce Links from June 28 to July 1.