Paddy Gribben completed a fairytale return to the amateur ranks last night when he became Ireland's first ever winner of the European Amateur Individual Golf Championship in Bordeaux.

The 28-year-old from Warrenpoint, who had a spell in the professional game, led from start to finish with rounds of 67, 67, 69 and 71 for an aggregate of 274. It gave him a two-stroke victory over Welsh international Craig Williams and England's Walker Cup man Gary Wolstenholme and he now qualifies to play in next year's British Open at Carnoustie.