James Sugrue pictured with the Muskerry Senior Scratch Cup which he won earlier this year

The business end of the AIG Irish Close Championship gets underway tomorrow with four Cork golfers qualifying for the matchplay phase.  Mallow’s James Sugrue lead the Cork challenge with a pair of 75’s that saw him finish day two inside the top 20.  Sugure was going very well he was one over for the front nine, but a double on the par five 13th meant he signed for his second 75.  Kinsale’s John Murphy playing in his first Close is just one shot behind Sugrue.  He came in with a two over par 74 which bettered his opening round by three shots.  Cork’s John Hickey also bettered his opening score by three shots, a 75 today was a disappointing finish as the recent Barton Shield winner was -1 at the turn.  Hickey is tied for 36th place on +9.  Kinsale’s Cathal Butler is the other locla player to make it to the matchplay phase.  An opening 81 threatened his chances but he shot a very positive 74 today and made the cut with a shot to spare.

The four Cork golfers have the following draw for tomorrow morning:

James Sugrue v Tiernan McLarnon
John Murphy v Rob Brazill
John Hickey v Ronan Mullarney
Cathal Butler v Jonathan Yates

AIG Irish Close – First Round Matchplay Full Draw: