Weaver, who was making his first appearance in the event, revealed earlier in the week how he had endured the nightmare of April’s campus shootings where 32 pupils were gunned down.

After sealing the biggest win of his career, which secures him an invite to both July’s Open at Carnoustie and next year’s Masters at Augusta, Weaver, said: “This win is for the people we lost on April 16.

“I’ve been proud to represent the college here this week and to give them something positive.

“There’s been so much negative publicity about the place in recent months and this is just a fantastic feeling to do something like this.”

Two up after the opening round, Weaver extended his advantage during the afternoon’s session as he appeared to be coasting to the title.

A birdie at the 20th moved him three ahead and, despite putting into the bunker at the next to hand Stewart the hole, the American holed his third shot from the greenside sand-trap at the 22nd to reclaim his healthy lead.

Birdies at the 24th, 25th and 30th pushed Weaver six ahead before Stewart mounted a rousing late rally.

He won four holes on the spin from the 31st as Weaver began to wilt under the pressure, but the American held his nerve to hole out for par on the 35th and record the 22nd US win in 112 stagings of the amateur game’s most celebrated event.

“When Tim was fighting back I tried to tell myself that I was still in control of the match, but that gets hard to do when you lose four holes in a row,” Weaver added.

“The 17th was probably the most intense hole I’ve ever played and when I finally closed the match out I couldn’t believe I’d won.”