Jack Murphy claimed his third win of 2022 when he put on an impressive display in Fermoy last week.  The 16-year-old Douglas member won the Munster boys Under 18 Open Championship, adding his name to a prestigious list of winners going back over 50 years. Murphy had already secured the Leinster Boys Under 16 and Munster Boys Under 16 titles earlier in the season, and he led from the start in Fermoy when he was the only player under par after the opening round.  He increased his lead after a second round 68.  At that stage it was unlikely that he would be caught but he still needed a solid final round.

It looked like he might be caught after a bogey on the long par three 2^nd hole, but he followed it with birdies on the 3^rd and 4^th to extend his lead.  Solid game management helped him to a level par 70 to close and he won by an impressive margin of six strokes.

The Rochestown College student was delighted with his win after a busy few weeks that has seen him play in Germany twice, England as well as in several events in Ireland.  The course in Fermoy was in great condition and proved a tough challenge for some of Ireland’s top junior golfers.  Murphy was up to the challenge and was happy with his game.  “I struggled a small bit at the European’s but other than that I have been playing well” said Murphy after his win.  “I played here before and I know not to miss in some areas.  I’ve played here quite a lot when I was younger and I know you can’t be on the wrong side of pins here.”  Despite taking the lead after the opening 18 holes, he was patient and stuck to the plan.  “There was still two days of golf to go so I didn’t think too much and played my own game.  Today I played a small bit more cautiously, I didn’t go for everything and even with approach shots I made sure I was on the right side of the hole.”

Murphy’s busy schedule continues, this week he’s off to Finland for the European Young Masters and after that he’ll be hoping to continue his great start to the Under 16 schedule when he takes part in the Irish U16 in Lucan.  On the men’s calendar, the South of Ireland started in Lahinch yesterday and the field of 150 golfers will be reduced to 64 after today’s second round.