Two putts that were left hanging on the lip cost Gary O’Flaherty dearly as he missed out on a play-off in the Munster Mid Am.  The Cork golfer had a mixed day but gave himself a few chances.  Despite carding two early birdies, O’Flaherty lost a ball on the 7th to go back to level, but he stuck with it on a difficult day for golf.  There was a huge downpour in Newcastlewest as O’Flaherty finished his round.  Members worked had to clear the standing water on the final three greens meaning that play could continue, and O’Flaherty saw birdie putts finish right on lip on both 16 and 17.  A birdie on either hole would have been enough to get him into a play-off but he had to settle for third place.  O’Flaherty had a to sit back and watch his friend and Munster teammate Murray go on to win his fifth title.

Gallery: Munster Mid Am, Newcastlewest

Overnight leader Murray got off to a shaky start.  He was two over after five and double bogied the sixth after putting a ball in the water.  Three birdies on the back nine brought him back into contention and he had a par putt to win on 18.  He missed the tricky five footer which meant a three hole play-off with Newcastlewest’s Brian Lenihan.  The local man was the only one to break par on a tough day, his 70 included two birdies on the 9th and 10th.  A bogey on the 18th meant he signed for a one under par 70.

The four time winner became a five time winner thanks to a one shot win in the playoff.  Murray, representing Clontarf Golf Club where he now works, was delighted with his win and thanked everyone involved, including his caddy Michele who endured the heavy showers as he reclaimed the trophy he last won in 2015.

 

Playoff video courtesy Newcastlewest Golf Club:

Results

Round 1 CSS = 73 R/O CSS Round 2 = 73 CSS Round 3 = 73 (R/O)
WINNER Pat Murray (Clontarf) after play off 215
RUNNER UP Brian Lenihan (Newcastle West) 215
THIRD Gary O’Flaherty (Cork) 216
FOURTH Jim Carvill (Banbridge) 217
FIFTH Simon Miskelly (Knock) 219

BEST GROSS R 3 Rory Leonard (Banbridge) 71

215	P Murray (Clontarf), 70, 71, 74; B Lenihan (Newcastle West), 74, 71, 70
216	G O’Flaherty (Cork), 75, 70, 71
217	J Carvill (Banbridge), 70, 76, 71
219	S Miskelly (Knock), 77, 69, 73; J McLoughlin (Portumna), 70, 73, 76
221	R Leonard (Banbridge), 78, 72, 71
223	E Haugh (Castletroy), 75, 75, 73
224	P Sheehan (Ballybunion), 73, 71, 80
226	T O’Leary (Rosslare), 78, 74, 74
227	C Murphy (Clandeboye), 73, 81, 73
228	M Coote (Tralee), 78, 72, 78; D O’Donoghue (Bandon), 76, 75, 77
229	S McDermott (Carlow), 77, 78, 74
230	R Twomey (Muskerry), 79, 78, 73; J Kehoe (Limerick), 76, 79, 75; H Nolan (Doneraile), 74, 75, 81
231	K Collins (Fermoy), 74, 76, 81
232	T O’Mahony (Doneraile), 74, 75, 83
233	D Hunt (Nenagh), 79, 78, 76; P Meaney (Cahir Park), 73, 78, 82
235	G Spring (Tralee), 76, 79, 80
236	P Bevins (Carlow), 76, 77, 83
238	D Coughlan (Moate), 75, 80, 83
241	D Lane (Muskerry), 81, 75, 85
242	B Dore (Newcastle West), 79, 78, 85
244	M Coleman (Limerick), 78, 78, 88
WD	P Connolly (Killeen Castle), 75, 76; K Crowley (Fota Island), 78, 74; G Fitzpatrick (Naas), 78, 75; B Macias (Palmerstown estate ), 80, 74; D Dore (Youghal), 79, 75; T Corcoran (Carlow), 81, 75; D Gleeson (Limerick), 82, 75; R Williams (Naas), 78, 79; T Sheehan (Doneraile), 78, 80
MC	T Cleary (Woodstock), 82, 77; A Boyle (Castleknock), 80, 79; T Hogan (Headfort), 83, 77; L Walsh (Fota Island), 80, 80; D McMahon  (Tralee), 79, 81; S Kenneally (Kinsale), 78, 82; J Williams (Castle), 78, 82; A Moran (Tuam), 77, 83; L Lenihan (Shannon), 77, 83; M Tuite (Killarney), 84, 77; R Hurley (Fermoy), 83, 78; O Barrett (Fermoy), 83, 78; P Hennessy (Lahinch), 80, 81; B Power (Goldcoast), 75, 86; P Roche (Palmerstown Stud), 78, 85; D O’Donovan (Charleville), 80, 84; D Coyne (Tuam), 82, 83; L Power (Palmerstown stud), 78, 89; F Harrold (Castletroy), 86, 82; C Griffin (Palmerstown Stud), 81, 87; S Morris (Limerick), 88, 83; F Dore (Ballybunion), 90, 83
NR	F Kennedy (The Island); E Clarke (Lee Valley); J Crangle (Belfast)
DQ	F O’Sullivan (Tralee)
NR	A Purcell (Adare Manor)
RTD	M Kearns (Westport); R Connolly (Tullamore); J Mulready (Castle)
NR	P Brazil (Limerick)