Scotsman Paul Harkness etched his name on Bermuda's oldest golf trophy as he completed a dream week at Mid Ocean Club on Saturday to lift the 77th annual Amateur Match Play Championship.

Using a game of patience and precision, the 35-year-old Bank of Bermuda employee claimed his second successive American scalp, that of Boston-based Bill Jenks, who earlier in the week had defeated defending champion Robert Vallis.

A generally lop-sided 36-hole final concluded at the 12th hole of the afternoon round, Harkness winning seven and six, having emerged from the morning's battle with a comfortable six-hole lead.

For Bermuda's Laura Robinson, like Harkness of Scottish heritage, there would be no repeat of her triumph a year earlier.

The 17-year-old ran into a steamroller in the form of Florida-based Janell Howland, an aspiring professional who appears to have all the tools to realise her ambition of joining the LPGA Tour next year.

Howell overwhelmed her teenage opponent, leading by 11 holes after the morning round and eventually closing out the match at the fifth second time around.

Harkness, watched by his wife Carol, again executed his game plan to perfection, pressing early in the match to gain an advantage and then reducing mistakes to a minimum.

But he admitted Jenks' error-strewn morning round had helped his cause.

"I played pretty solid today, didn't make many mistakes. I let Bill make the mistakes,'' said Harkness.

"He's obviously a very good golfer, but I don't think he played as well as he could.

"Just as I wanted, I got off to a good start. I played par golf on the front nine, made a couple of birdies.'' The turning point, said the new champion, probably came when the match suffered a lightning delay in the morning with Harkness already four up.

"Bill came out and topped his next shot and made five and I won two of the next three holes. From then it was a matter of not making too many mistakes.

That was my game plan all along, make him chase the game.

"I'm absolutely delighted to have won, it's a great thrill. It's probably the biggest tournament I've ever won.'' Jenks congratulated his opponent but couldn't hide his own disappointment.

"One always likes to win a golf match, so yes I am disappointed,'' he said.

"He played well, I didn't, it was as simple as that.

"In fact I played miserably over the first 18 holes.'' Howland, who like Harkness was playing in her first Bermuda Match Play tournament, also gave her opponent credit.

"Laura gave it a good fight, she just didn't have her `A' game today.'' A scratch handicapper who two years ago finished eighth in the US Public Links Championship, the 23-year-old was only one over par for the first 18 holes and one-under for the final five.

Winner of a tournament in Florida two weeks ago with rounds of 71 and 77, Howland said her goal has always been to play professional golf.

"That's pretty much all I do, play golf,'' she said. "I'm going to Q School this fall, see how it goes and then I'll probably wait until next year to turn pro.'' Pumped up: Paul Harkness punches the air as he sinks a putt during his seven and six victory over Bill Jenks in Saturday's Amateur Match Play Championship final at Mid Ocean Club.