Challenge Tour

Murphy Enjoying Well Earned Break

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John Murphy in action at the Horizon Irish Open in September.
Pic: Niall O’Shea

John Murphy is enjoying a well earned break after a long season on tour.  The Kinsale golfer recently completed his third year as a tour professional, and had a punishing schedule of 27 tournaments which brought him to 21 different countries over three continents.  2023 was undoubtedly Murphy’s toughest year on tour, but the 25 year old battled until the end and will tee it up on the Challenge Tour in 2024.

Murphy made the season ending Challenge Tour final in 2022, but after a disappointing performance in the grand final he reversed his form and won at tour card for 2023 at the final stage of qualifying Continue reading →

Shane O’Connell enjoying life on Tour

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Shane O’Connell

Shane O’Connell is enjoying a well earned break, the Kinsale man travelled more than most in 2022.  Caddying with John Murphy, the 25 year old visited 15 different countries in 2022.  That involved two trips to the US, and another two to  South Africa.  He was on the bag for Murphy in all 34 events this year, and was there to celebrate with him when he qualified for the DP World Tour in November.

Shane jumped on the bag for Murphy in June 2021 when the Walker Cup star turned professional and he hasn’t looked back since.  Travel is a central part of tour life and Shane has had to navigate air travel, hotels and rental cars ever before they get to a golf Continue reading →

Tour Life for Sugrue

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James Sugrue 

Mallow golfer James Sugrue had few days at home earlier this week.  The tour pro returned from Sweden on Sunday after competing in his first two Challenge Tour events.  Sugrue made the cut in last week’s event and bagged €1,800 in prize money.  There was more good news this week when he was given €17,500 in Sport Ireland funding to assist with his first year on tour.  Speaking from home after three weeks on the road, James was happy with his two tour starts.  “I played nicely, there were plenty of birdies but there were a few mistakes and course management errors, probably from the lack of playing as opposed to anything else.  I feel I’m swinging it well and putting nicely so hopefully there’s a low week coming soon.”

After a few days of walking the dogs and having a “proper dinner”, Sugrue is looking forward Continue reading →

Sugrue sets his sights on Sweden

/ niall@corkgolfnews.com

James Sugrue

“I’m just about to head out for my first 18 holes since The Masters which is

hard to believe.”  That was the first comment from Mallow’s James Sugrue as he started his 2021 preparations in Spain on Friday.  Sugrue headed of earlier this week, giving himself two weeks to tune up for three Challenge Tour Events in May.  James received invitations to play in the Range Servant Challenge and the Dormy Open in Sweden before playing in the Irish Challenge in Portmarnock Links at the end of the month.

“I’m delighted with the Swedish events, it’s great to Continue reading →