Stephen Browne stormed to the European Amateur Individual title in Denmark on Saturday to become only the second Irishman and the first from the Republic to win this prestigious tournament. In 1998 Paddy Gribben from the North took the crown in France

After playing in the Home Internationals next month, Browne (27) from Hermitage club will try his hand in the paid ranks seeking a European Tour card and then hope to combine his singing with professional golf.

"I hope to combine singing and playing because singing is in my blood and I could never stop," said Browne who was trained in the Irish Academy in Dublin.

Browne led the tournament from the start. He carded four rounds in the 60s (65, 69, 67 and 69) and finished with a 72-hole total of 270 - 18 under par - to win by five strokes from runner-up Scotsman Stuart Wilson who was six ahead of English international Graeme Clark who smashed the course record with a brilliant 63.

From the moment Browne set a the record of 65 on the first day, he was in the driving seat and had a five-stroke advantage going into the final round.

That lead was reduced to just two strokes on the final day but he then moved up a gear again. His final round contained 13 pars, four birdies - he holed several long putts - and just one bogey, on the sixth.

At the presentation Browne paid tribute to his colleagues, Irish captain Eddie Dunne for his "important words at the right time" and he also praised his coach, Hermitage professional Simon Byrne.

Dunne said: "I am truly delighted. I have watched Stephen since he started playing golf full-time and he has improved every time I've seen him. Now that we have the British amateur champion in Michael Hoey and the European champion, we can look forward with great optimism to the Home Internationals."

Browne said: "This has been a really good year for me, winning the order of merit, being second in the Irish and South of Ireland championships and runner-up in the Team Championship."

The next best Irishman was Athlone's Colm Moriarty on 282 after a closing 68 while County Sligo's Seβn McTernan finished on 285.