Golfing Union of Ireland
AIG Jimmy Bruen Shield :: Munster Finals 2018
O’Keeffe & Sugrue through in North of Ireland, Murphy opens with 68 in Euro’s
Peter O’Keeffe and James Sugrue are safely through to the matchplay stage of the North of Ireland, comfortably finishing in the top 64 from the mammoth field of 300 golfers. O’Keeffe carded rounds of 68 and 70 over both courses in Royal Portrush to finish on -5 and in a tie for 4th place. The Douglas man fired in eight birdies and an eagle over the two rounds and if he can continue in that form he should extend his time in Portrush. He’s currently in action against Haryey Byers from Walton Heath in the first matchplay round.
North of Ireland Matchplay Draw
James Sugrue continued his good form with a top 13 finish in the strokeplay qualifier. He shot rounds of 68 and 72 to book his place in the matchplay where he faces Marc Norton from Belvoir Park this morning. There was disappointment for Cathal Butler as he finished just one shot outside qualification on +3, and there was no joy for Continue reading
Strong finish for Sugrue in Final Qualifying
James Sugure finished in the top 15 at final qualifying for The Open at St Anne’s Old Links on Tuesday. The Mallow golfer has had a busy two weeks, covering the British Amateur, playing Senior Cup for Mallow in Cork Golf Club, and then playing Co Louth, Rosapenna, and St Annes in quick succession. With only three spots available for the Open, qualification was always against the odds, and Sugrue found himself four over after his opening nine holes. He recovered two shots on the back nine to finish the opening round on +3. James got his second round off to a blistering start, with four birdies in his first five holes. He dropped a few shots in the middle of the round but finished strongly, closing with two birdies and an eagle. A second round 67 saw him jump over twenty places, in fact Sugrue had nine birdies and an eagle in his final 27 holes. Speaking after the qualifier, James cited the lack of a practice round as a critical reason for the difference between both rounds.
Sugrue through to Final Qualifying for 147th Open
It’s been an interesting few weeks for Sugrue, he made it to the last 32 in the British Amateur but missed on the Irish team for the European Team Championships. He bounced back by shooting a 64 in Co Louth in regional qualifying for the Open and he finished 25th in a strong field in Rosapenna last weekend during the Irish Open qualifier. Sugrue will no doubt be hoping to convert his current form into a win, and push for selection on the Irish team for the Home Internationals. With the North of Ireland taking placee next week in Royal Portrush and the South of Ireland in Lahinch later in July where Sugrue is the reigning champion, there will be plenty of opportunities for the young Mallow man.
Murphy Earns Irish Cap
There was great news in Kinsale Golf Club earlier this week when John Murphy became the latest Corkman to earn full Irish honours. He has been selected in the six-man Irish team to compete in the European Amateur Team Championship in Germany in two weeks’ time. Murphy was almost a certain pick given his recent form. He won the St Andrews Links Trophy earlier this month, and last week he reached the quarter-finals of The Amateur Championship in Royal Aberdeen.
The Louisville student represented Ireland at the Boys Home Internationals in 2016, and gaining a full international cap this year was definitely a target. “Being named to the Irish senior team is very exciting” said Murphy after the announcement. “I still remember going to Carton House for the champions dinner when I was young and seeing the Irish panels. I was in awe of even being in the presence of players like Continue reading
Cassidy wins in Connacht
Eoghan Cassidy become the latest Kinsale winner, the teenager won the Connacht Boys U14 Championship in Loughrea today. Cassidy shot a 75 to tie the lead, winning the title on the countback. The five handicapper has shown plenty of promise, the fact that he’s still eligible at U13 level underlines his achievement today. Cassidy’s best previous finish was third in the Munster Under 14 Boys Championship, held in Kanturk last year.
Zak Collins (Douglas) finished in the top ten, Adam Harrington (Cork) was in the top twenty and James Walsh (Kinsale) was two shots back from Continue reading
British Am Dreams still strong for Murphy & Sugrue
John Murphy
John Murphy and James Sugrue both came through the first matchplay round of the British Open yesterday, propelling them into the final 32 with hope increasing of an extended run in Royal Aberdeen. There was a bit of a struggle for both golfers yesterday, Sugrue took a slight lead in his match early on but he had to wait until the 19th before he finally dispatched Australia’s Michael Kyle.
John Murphy too had an interesting round. He level par after three holes but found himself two down. He was two under through six and was still one down. The tide did turn for Murph, by the 13th he had a three hole lead and he added another win on 14. He lost the 15th Continue reading
Sugrue and Murphy through in British Amateur
James Sugrue
James Sugrue and John Murphy have both qualified for the matchplay stage of the British Amateur after the opening strokeplay quaifier. The hot shots comfortably made it through along with Robin Dawson, Rowan Lester and Conor Purcell.
John Murphy qualified just outside the top ten, he shot a 69 on the Mulcar Links yesterday to close on +2. Murphy was three under after four holes and steady golf under pressure saw him maintain a solid level of golf. This time last week, he was still only the fourth alternative on the waiting list.
James Sugrue, who is part of the Irish squad at the event, was three shots back from Murphy in 40th place. He shot two rounds of 73 on both Royal Aberdeen and Mulcar Links. Both golfers have proven themselves at the highest levels, Sugrue is the reigning South of Ireland champion while Murphy won the St Andrew’s Links Trophy less than two weeks ago. A good run in the matchplay stages will help their case for selection for the six man Irish team for the European Championships.
There was disappointment for Peter O’Keeffe who missed out on the matchplay stage, he missed the cut by two shots after a disappointing final few holes in yesterday’s second round. The matchplay qualifier (for those tied in 64th place) takes place this morning with the first round proper starting later this morning. James Sugrue is out at 11.08 and John Murphy starts at 13.51.
Murphy wins St Andrew’s Links Trophy
John Murphy gave himself an early birthday present today when he won the St Andrew’s Links Trophy, and there was a little bit of a surprise too as he drained a 25 foot putt on first play-off hole to claim his first major title outside of Ireland. Murphy shot 66 on the Old Course yesterday to hold the 36 hole lead. A 71 this morning had him tied for the lead with one more round on the Old Course to come. John started well, birdies on the 3rd and 4th saw him jump into a two shot lead. He held that lead at the turn but when he dropped a shot on the 13th there was a three way tie for the lead. East of Ireland winner Christo Lamprecht was leading but a on the road hole took him out of contention. Germany’s Jannik de Bruyn shot a 68 to finish on -9. Murphy parred 14 to 17 and he Continue reading
Strong Cork Challenge in Baltray
John Hickey
There was a strong Cork presence in Baltray over the weekend as the course hosted the East of Ireland Championship. Favourable scoring conditions led to some very impressive scoring with several 66’s recorded on the first day. Cork’s John Hickey was one of those to finish the opening round on 66, he was five under after his opening six holes. Two more birdies along with a bogey followed on his way to the -6 round which saw him tie the lead. Hickey added rounds of 72, 73 and 71 to finished in 13th place. Gary O’Flaherty was one behind Hickey on the opening day after a 67. He added a 74 on Sunday but two rounds of 69 on Monday saw him jump into the top ten and finish in 7th place. Continue reading
Cork Golf News 