PROLIFIC Royal Troon golfer Michael Smyth was celebrating a fourth success in his club's annual championship.

However he was pushed all the way by opponent Ian Walker at the Open Championship course.

Smyth was two-up at the turn but then three-putted the 10th to reduce his lead. It was then all-square at the 13th and the 14th and 15th were halved along with the 16th, where Smyth missed a birdie putt.

Walker won the 17th to go 1-up and looked firm favourite to win. However Smyth struck back to square the l8th after his opponent found the bunker.

Then at the 19th, Walker played sideways out of a bunker but remarkably managed to halve the hole. However at the 20th, Walker pulled his drive and Smyth chipped in to win the hole and with it the title.

Victory helped Smyth, who won his third Prestwick Links Championship in May, clinch the title for a fourth time.

This helped him overtake dad David, his caddy, who has secured three titles.

The victor said: "I was pleased with my win but it was a close match. The record is six titles, hopefully I can at least equal that."