Royal County Down
Major win for O’Keeffe, Flogas Irish Amateur Open
Peter O’Keeffe (Pic: Pat Cashman)
Peter O’Keeffe has been playing top level golf for 20 years and today he captured the top prize, the Flogas Irish Amateur Open at Royal County Down. From an elite junior golfer he moved into the US college ranks and from there he spent close to a decade on the Challenge Tour and Europro Tour trying to make the breakthrough in the paid ranks. In late 2015 he was reinstated as an amateur and last year he challenged on the local scratch cup circuit. Today he broke through to elite senior golf ranks when he won the Irish Open in style. One-stroke clear overnight, O’Keeffe cruised through much of the final round, winning by three thanks to a final round 73. The 35-year-old from Douglas ended the week on two over, three clear of Scotland’s Christopher MacLean and England’s Tom Sloman.
Needless to say the Douglas man was delighted with the win. “It feels fantastic. It was tough to keep my emotions in check there going up the last,” said O’Keeffe, who claimed his maiden championship title. “It was nice Continue reading
O’Keeffe leads Irish Amateur going into final round, Royal County Down
It wasn’t the low round that he promised – but in any case it was enough to give Peter O’Keeffe the lead going into tomorrow’s final round of the Flogas Irish Amateur Open.
O’Keeffe started quickly with an eagle on the opening par five, but he gave the two shots back before the turn and started the second nine level for his round. It was an interesting back nine for all of the leading contenders. England’s Sean Towndrow took a two shot lead on the 16th thanks to an eagle on the short par four, but two doubles followed and he closed on a 77 and +3 for the tournament. Christopher McClean was level with O’Keeffe after 15, but bogies on the 16th & 18th saw him drop down also.
O’Keeffe continued his pattern of steady golf with the odd birdie or bogey balancing each other out. In the end only himself and Robin Dawson (T7) could match par on the closing three holes. That was enough for two over par 73 on day three, and surprisingly enough that see’s him with a one shot lead over Christopher McClean. O’Keeffe (L) will be joined by Mc Clean (+1) and Marc Norton (+2) in tomorrow’s final group which tees off at 11.12.
John Murphy saw the Continue reading
O’Keeffe and Murphy in contention in RCD, Flogas Irish Amateur Open
Peter O’Keeffe and John Murphy both sit within touching distance of the lead after solid performances in round two of the Flogas Irish Amateur Open. Royal County Down was firm and bouncy again today but the links proved a challenge as just a dozen golfers broke par at the testing Irish Open venue. O’Keeffe was out this afternoon and he continued in the same form as yesterday with plenty of birdies. Two early bogies didn’t distract the Douglas member, and he got back to level before bogeying the the ninth to turn on +1. Three birdies followed on the back nine but a dropped shot on the 14th meant that he signed for another 70 and is now one off the lead on -2. Sean Towndrow Continue reading
Mixed Round for Monkstown’s McNamara
Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC), playing in his third Irish Open cut a frustrated figure after carding a four over 75 in the first round at Royal County Down. The 28-year-old made a poor start, dropping shots at his opening three holes, 10th, 11th and 12th but he responded positively over the remaining holes. Continue reading
Cork Golf News 