Raymond loses out to Irishman Whitson in the Spanish Amateur

Irishman Reeve Whitson prevented Neil Raymond from keeping the Spanish Amateur Championship in English hands when he beat the Hampshire man 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final at La Manga.Although Raymond twice held a slender lead in the opening nine holes, he found himself 2-down at lunch after the man from Mourne eased ahead with a concession at the par five 13th and increased his lead with a par four at 15.

Raymond halved the deficit at the long fourth in the afternoon but bogeys at the sixth and seventh saw Raymond fall three behind.

Another Raymond bogey at the par four 11th saw Whitson 4-up and although Raymond won the long 13th with a concession, Whitson wrapped up his victory with a par four at the 15^thwhen Raymond dropped another shot.

English players had won the title for the three previous years through Matt Haines in 2010, Laurie Canter in 2011 and Jack Hiluta last year.

For full match play results click here.