James Sugrue Pic. Brian Arthur

It may have taken a few additional holes, but James Sugrue has made it through to the last 16 of the South of Ireland in Lahinch.  Having won his first round match 3&1, the holder was looking like losing his second round match, after being behind for much of the match he was two down with three to play.  He birdied the 16^th and 18^th holes to force the match onto the 19^th.  After doing plenty of hard work he needed a 10 foot par putt on the 19^th, and he was unlucky not to win on the 20^th when Ross Latimer knocked in a decent birdie putt.  Latimer’s putter saved him again on the 3^rd in what was a text book display of steady par matchplay golf.  The deadlock finally broke on the 22^nd (4^th), after a brief rain delay the players resumed with Sugrue birdieing the par five to claim the win.  Overall it was a good day for Cork golfers.  Peter O’Keeffe won his morning match on the 16^th and he wrapped up his second round match on the same hole after playing some very solid golf.  John Hickey and Gary O’Flaherty both won the 18^th while Sean Desmond wrapped up his match on the 16^th.  John Hickey continued his good form in the afternoon and overcame Robert Morgan 3&2.  The all Cork matchup of Gary O’Flaherty and Sean Desmond promised to be an interesting match, with O’Flaherty taking a slender lead early on.  O’Flaherty stretched the lead the 3 holes on the 10^th and while Desmond won the 13^th with a great birdie, O’Flaherty’s birdie on the 14^th restored the margin.  In the end the Cork member closed out the match with a 3&2 win Continue reading →