The 22-year-old, who now plays out of Drumoig in Fife, finished as the leading Scot (8th), on the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) at the September 6 cut off point.
However, he was pushed all the way by last year’s winner and Walker Cup team-mate, Glencruitten’s Robert MacIntyre, who finished in 14th spot, with Craig Howie from Peebles the next best-placed Scot in 51st.
The former Dumfries player, who won the 2016 Australian Amateur championship, has enjoyed another consistent season which saw him win the Battle Trophy at Crail GS, qualify to play in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale and reach the quarter-finals of the US Amateur Championship.
Having also represented Scotland for the third year in a row at the European Amateur Team Championship, helped by finishing fifth in the Carrick Neill Scottish Open Stroke Play, Syme went on to tee up for GB&I against the US at the Walker Cup at Los Angeles Country Club – winning his opening foursomes match with Irishman Paul McBride.
Syme, coached by his father Stuart, who spent 17 years as club pro at the Dumfries and County Golf Club.
Connor said: “It was a target for me this year to try and achieve the award.
“It’s something that anybody playing amateur golf in Scotland wants to achieve through WAGR, so I’m delighted to win it.
“Consistency has been the key for me this year. I was hoping the US Amateur was going to be the big win I was craving for, but it didn’t come about.”
He added: “There was the win at the Battle Trophy and a lot of top tens which I’m obviously pleased with.
“The highlight was probably where my world amateur ranking is, as you seek to try and get to as high as you possibly can.”
Syme awas a member of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team that went down to America in Los Angeles last weekend and reflecting on the 19-7 defeat, he said: “It was a great experience in Los Angeles and it’s something I’ll never forget.
“We did as well as we could, but the American team holed more key putts and when you fall behind in a team event it is hard to claw it back.”
