Irish Golf News

Paul Dunne. Picture: Pat Cashman

FAR HILLS, N.J. (Aug. 3, 2015) – The United States Golf Association announced today that Paul Dunne, 22, of Ireland has accepted a special exemption into the 2015 U.S. Amateur Championship at Olympia Fields (Ill.) Country Club. The 115th U.S. Amateur will be contested Aug. 17-23, writes the USGA.

“Paul Dunne demonstrated his ability to compete with anyone by his outstanding play in the recent British Open at St. Andrews,” said Diana M. Murphy, chairman of the USGA’s Championship Committee. “The USGA is pleased that he will be joining the strong international field of 312 players in the U.S. Amateur, our oldest national championship, at Olympia Fields.”

Dunne, of Dublin [sic], shot a third-round 66 to share the 54-hole lead of the 2015 British Open Championship with Jason Day and Louis Oosthuizen. A recent graduate of the University of Alabama-Birmingham, Dunne played in the final pairing of the fourth round with Oosthuizen. Dunne also played in the 2014 British Open, but missed the cut.

At UAB, Dunne was named Conference USA Player of the Year in 2014. He finished fifth in the 2015 NCAA Men’s Division I Golf Championship and earned third-team All-America honors.

Dunne is the first amateur to share the 54-hole lead at the British Open since Bob Jones in 1927. He finished at 6 under par, in a tie for 30th place. He is 38th in the current World Amateur Golf Ranking™ (having moved up from No. 80) and he represented Ireland in the 2014 World Amateur Team Championship.

He will be competing in his first USGA championship.

For tickets and additional information on the U.S. Amateur, the oldest golf championship in the United States, visit www.2015usamateur.com.

Joe Lyons, pictured during the recent Interprovincial Championship, leads the Mullingar Electrical Scratch Trophy by two shots at halfway. Picture by Pat Cashman

Age is just a number and Galway’s Joe Lyons is hoping his years will help rather than hinder him when he takes a two-shot lead into the final two rounds of the Mullingar Electrical Scratch Trophy on Monday.

A native of Co Offaly but well-established in the City of Tribes, the 43-year old former West of ireland champion showed just why he’s been Connacht’s top scorer in four of the last five Interprovincial Matches when he added a 70 to his opening 67 to lead the field on seven under par.

“I’m pretty surprised,” Lyons said. “I’ve been showing glimpses of good golf recently but I haven’t been putting the whole package together. When it goes, it goes. But when it’s on, it’s on and I hit it lovely today.”

An opening 67 featuring four birdies, one bogey and an eagle three from 20 feet at the 14th, left the 2007 West of Ireland champion one stroke adrift of Castle’s Daniel Holland, the 2013 winner, who opened up with a 66 only to follow it with a 73.

In contrast to some of his recent events, Lyons kept his foot on the accelerator in the afternoon, carding a two under 70 to head the field by two strokes on seven under from Holland and South of Ireland runner-up Colin Fairweather from Knock, who followed a 71 with a four under 68.

Lyons confessed he felt things slipping away after lunch when he followed a brace of early birdies at the fifth and sixth with a double bogey six at the seventh, where he smothered his second and had to take a penalty drop.

“I struggled par eight and nine and then I bogeyed the 10th with a wedge from the middle of the fairway,” her reported. “Things looked like they were getting away from me but I birdied the 14th, 15th and 16th coming in and missed chances on the last two.

“To be honest, I led the Irish Mid-Amateur slip with a round to go six weeks ago. I thought I was home and hosed and I collapsed. So I am taking nothing for granted against this field. 

“Success has been thin on the ground for me for the last few years but I will be giving it my best shot. Mullingar to me is one of the majors and I’d love to put my name on that trophy, that’s for sure.”

Fairweather will be keen capitalised on a purple patch of form that led to his  recent call up for international duty in the Home Internationals later this month. 

“To get the call up straight after the final just brighten me back up straight away,” Fairweather said. “It’s fantastic to get capped — it was the goal the start of the season. Now the goal is to get a win and I’ve got a chance here.”

Hoping to head to the European Tour Q-School this year but stuggling for sponsorship, Fairweather added: “Sponsorship is hard to come by and it’s not looking great with the deadline coming up. But first I have this week and I’m looking for a good day tomorrow.

“I haven’t been on my game and just got it round so far. But I am scoring well and I holed a few more putts this afternoon so hopefully I can get it going tomorrow. That would be nice.”

But Fairweather and Holland aren't the only quality players lurking.

Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty, a semi-finalist in last month’s “North”, carded a pair fo 70s to sit alone in fourth on four under.

Galway interprovincial Ronan Mullarney carded a best of the afternoon 67 to share fifth on two under with Co Sligo’s Sean Flanagan, Portmarnock’s James Fox, Dundalk’s Aaron Grant and Esker Hills’ Alan Lowry, younger brother of 20-08 winner Shane Lowry.

Then there's Nenagh's Shane Hogan on one under after a second round 69 and two-time championship winner Robbie Cannon alongside Newlands'Jake Whelan on level par after following a morning 68 with a 76 in the early afternoon.

The cut for the top 51 fell at 152 with Mullingar's Ronan Maher the last man in after a 74 saw him edge ahead of Carton House's Shane McGlynn (76), Castle's Jack Walsh (79) and Dubai 15-year old Rayhan Thomas (81) on a countback.  

Mullingar Electrical Scatch Trophy, Mullingar GC (Par 72)Monday’s tee times

1. (6:22/11:22) Maher, Sutherland, Crowley;
2. (6:31/11:31) Kennedy, Stack, M Grehan;
3. (6:40/11:40) Geraghty, Swarbrigg, O’Neill;
4. (6:49/11:49) Cunningham, Yates, Bridges;
5. (6:58/11:58) Knightly, Greene, D Lowry;
6. (7:07/12:07) Murphy, Ashby, Barker;
7. (7:16/12:16) McDonnell, Shanahan, O’Connor;
8. (7:25/12:25) Lenehan, Symington, L Grehan;
9. (7:34/12:34) Hickey, McDonagh, J Pierse;
10. (7:43/12:43) Woodroofe, Nugent, Egan;
11. (7:52/12:52) Morgan, McGarry, R Pierse;
12. (8:01/13:01) Reidy, O’Rourke, Watts;
13. (8:10/13:10) Buggy, Anderson, Dunne;
14. (8:19/13:19) Cannon, Whelan, Hogan;
15. (8:28/13:28) Grant, Fox, Flanagan;
16. (8:37/13:37) Lowry, Mullarney, Rafferty;
17. (8:46/13:46) Holland, Fairweather, Lyons.

After 36 holes 

DETAILED SCORES

Qualifiers

137 Joe Lyons (Galway) 67 70  

139 Colin Fairweather (Knock) 71 68, Daniel Holland (Castle) 66 73  

140 Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) 70 70  

142 Ronan Mullarney (Galway) 75 67, Alan Lowry (Esker Hills) 72 70, Sean Flanagan (Co. Sligo) 71 71, James Fox (Portmarnock) 70 72, Aaron Grant (Dundalk) 70 72  

143 Shane Hogan (Nenagh) 74 69  

144 Jake Whelan (Newlands) 70 74, Robert Cannon (Balbriggan) 68 76  

146 Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth) 75 71, Barry Anderson (The Royal Dublin) 75 71, Michael Buggy (Castlecomer Golf Club) 74 72, Stephen Watts (Cairndhu) 73 73, Conor O'Rourke (Naas) 72 74  

147 Declan Reidy (Co. Sligo) 76 71, Robbie Pierse (Grange) 76 71, Billy McGarry (Birr) 76 71, Des Morgan (New Forest) 75 72, Keith Egan (Carton House) 75 72, Graham Nugent (Kilkenny) 74 73, Colin Woodroofe (Blainroe) 73 74, Jack Pierse (Portmarnock) 73 74, Kelan McDonagh (The Royal Dublin) 71 76  

148 John Hickey (Cork) 73 75, Liam Grehan (Mullingar) 73 75, Ryan Symington (Lisburn) 73 75, Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock) 71 77  

149 Thomas O'Connor (Athlone) 77 72, Mark Shanahan (Castlemartyr) 75 74, Jack Mc Donnell (Forrest Little.) 74 75, Stephen Barker (Mourne) 73 76, L. Ashby (Naas) 73 76, Daniel Murphy (Portarlington) 72 77  Dave Lowry (Corballis Links Golf Club) 72 77  

150 John Greene (Portmarnock) 77 73, Richard Knightly (The Royal Dublin) 77 73, Richard Bridges (Stackstown) 76 74, Jonathan Yates (Naas) 75 75, Colin Cunningham (Carton House) 75 75, Declan O'Neill (Carton House) 74 76, John Swarbrigg (Mullingar) 74 76, Cian Geraghty (Laytown & Bettystown) 74 76, Matthew Grehan (Tullamore) 68 82  

151 Kevin Stack (Dungarvan) 75 76, Caolan Kennedy (Forrest Little.) 75 76, Colm Crowley (Woodbrook) 75 76, Jamie Sutherland (Galgorm Castle) 72 79  

152 Ronan Maher (Mullingar) 78 74 ,

Non-qualifiers

152 Shane McGlynn (Carton House) 76 76, Jack Walsh (Castle) 73 79, Rayhan Thomas (United Arab Emirates) 71 81  

153 Keith Bermingham (Castletroy) 78 75, Adam Doran (Ardee) 76 77, C. Dunphy (Killeen Castle) 76 77, Eoin Arthurs (Forrest Little.) 74 79  

154 Paul Burke (Mullingar) 76 78, R. McKinley (Mullingar) 75 79, P. O'Sullivan (Bray) 74 80  

155 Mark Morrissey (Mount Wolseley) 79 76, Declan King (Tramore) 78 77, Conor Stone (Carton House) 77 78, Tiarnan McLarnon (Massereene) 75 80  

156 Gareth Carr (Mullingar) 80 76, Chris Blackmore (Dundalk) 77 79, Lee McMillan (Craddockstown) 75 81  

157 Eanna Griffin (Waterford) 81 76, Gareth Mann (Tullamore) 75 82  

158 K. Metcalfe (Mullingar) 76 82  

159 Ben Best (Rathmore) 79 80, Gavin Flanagan (Mullingar) 79 80  

160 Cathal Nolan (Galway) 79 81  

161 M Duffy (Naas) 80 81  

163 David Maher (Courtown) 88 75, T Flanagan (Co. Sligo) 83 80, J. Dromey (Mullingar) 78 85 , Colm Hughes (Galway) 78 85  

164 N. Pratt (USA) 84 80  

165 Shaun O'Connor (Carton House) 84 81  

166 Brian Doran (Palmerstown Stud) 82 84, Gary Shaw (Mullingar) 82 84  

168 Ruairi O'Connor (Co. Sligo) 87 81  

173 Conor Slevin (New Forest) 86 87  

NR Gerard Lawlor (Craddockstown) NR ,

WD Jordan Hood (Galgorm Castle) 77 WD.

Daniel Holland (Castle) driving at the 11th during the final round of the 2014 Mullingar Electrical Scratch Cup at Mullingar Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Former winner Daniel Holland fired an eagle and six birdies in a super six under 66 to take a one stroke lead after Sunday morning's opening round of the Mullingar Electrical Scratch Trophy.

The Castle star, winner of the title in 2013, had bogeys at the par-four third and and the par-three 15th. But he made amends with birdies and after gains at the first, sixth and ninth saw him turn in two under 33, he came home in the same number of shots thanks to birdies at the 11th, 16th and 18th and an eagle three at the 14th.

Holland leads by one on six under from Galway's Joe Lyons, who also eagled the 14th and dropped his only shot of the day at the eighth in a 67.

Tullamore's Matthew Grehan, who birdied four of his last five holes, and former South of Ireland and Irish Amateur Open champion Robbie Cannon were just two adrift after 68s.

Grehan is clearly a man in form having claimed Tullamore's Club Championship last Sunday, the same day his brother Stuart won the South of Ireland at Lahinch.

Newlands' Jake Whelan, Dundalk's Caolan Rafferty and Aaron Grant and Portmarnock's James Fox share sixth after two under 70s as South of Ireland runner up, Colin Fairweather, celebrated his call up to the Irish team for the Home Internationals with a one under 71.

The Knock golfer shares 10th spot on one under with defending champion Geoff Lenehan from Portmarnock, Co Sligo's Sean Flanagan, Royal Dublin's Kelan McDonagh and 15-year old Dubai visitor, Ryhan Thomas who had an eagle two at the 322-yard sixth in his 71.

Mullingar Electrical Scratch Trophy 2015, Mullingar GC (Par 72)

LIVE SCORING

66 Daniel Holland (Castle)

67 Joe Lyons (Galway)

68 Matthew Grehan (Tullamore), Robert Cannon (Laytown & Bettystown)

70 Jake Whelan (Newlands), Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk), Aaron Grant (Dundalk), James Fox (Portmarnock)

71 Sean Flanagan (Co. Sligo), Kelan McDonagh (The Royal Dublin), Ryhan Thomas (United Arab Emirates), Colin Fairweather (Knock), Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock)

72 Jamie Sutherland (Galgorm Castle), Daniel Murphy (Portarlington), Dave Lowry (Corballis Links Golf Club), Alan Lowry (Esker Hills), Conor O'Rourke (Naas)

73 Stephen Watts (Cairndhu), Jack Pierse (Portmarnock), Liam Grehan (Mullingar), L. Ashby (Naas), Stephen Barker (Mourne), John Hickey (Cork), Ryan Symington (Lisburn), Colin Woodroofe (Blainroe), Jack Walsh (Castle)

74 Declan O'Neill (Carton House), Jack Mc Donnell (Forrest Little.), Graham Nugent (Kilkenny), Eoin Arthurs (Forrest Little.), Michael Buggy (Castlecomer Golf Club), Cian Geraghty (Laytown & Bettystown), Shane Hogan (Nenagh), P. O'Sullivan (Bray), John Swarbrigg (Mullingar)

75 Caolan Kennedy (Forrest Little.), Ronan Mullarney (Galway), Colm Crowley (Woodbrook), R. McKinley (Mullingar), Lee McMillan (Craddockstown), Colin Cunningham (Carton House), Kevin Stack (Dungarvan), Des Morgan (New Forest), Tiarnan McLarnon (Massereene), Jonathan Yates (Naas), Mark Shanahan (Castlemartyr), Gareth Mann (Tullamore), Gerard Dunne (Co. Louth), Barry Anderson (The Royal Dublin), Keith Egan (Carton House)

76 Adam Doran (Ardee), Richard Bridges (Stackstown), C. Dunphy (Killeen Castle), Paul Burke (Mullingar), Robbie Pierse (Grange), Declan Reidy (Co. Sligo), K. Metcalfe (Mullingar), Shane McGlynn (Carton House), Billy McGarry (Birr)

77 John Greene (Portmarnock), Richard Knightly (The Royal Dublin), Conor Stone (Carton House), Thomas O'Connor (Athlone), Jordan Hood (Galgorm Castle), Chris Blackmore (Dundalk)

78 Ronan Maher (Mullingar), Keith Bermingham (Castletroy), J. Dromey (Mullingar), Colm Hughes (Galway), Declan King (Tramore)

79 Mark Morrissey (Mount Wolseley), Ben Best (Rathmore), Cathal Nolan (Galway), Gavin Flanagan (Mullingar)

80 Gareth Carr (Mullingar), M. Duffy (Naas)

81 Eanna Griffin (Waterford)

82 Gary Shaw (Mullingar), Brian Doran (Palmerstown Stud)

83 T Flanagan (Co. Sligo)

84 Shaun O'Connor (Carton House), N. Pratt (USA)

86 Conor Slevin (New Forest)

87 Ruairi O'Connor (Co. Sligo)

88 David Maher (Courtown)

NR Gerard Lawlor (Craddockstown)

View image | gettyimages.com

The race to impress Walker Cup skipper Nigel Edwards is well and truly on with Paul Dunne receiving a "provisional place"  from the USGA to compete in the US Amateur, where he will be joined by his regular foursomes partner Gary Hurley and Ardglass' Cormac Sharvin.

The knock on effect is that both world No 38 Dunne and No 24 Hurley are out of Ireland's defence of the Home Internationals at Royal Portrush, supported by Fairstone Financial Management, from 12-14 August and will be replaced by Faithlegg/Maynooth University's Robin Dawson and Hermitage's Rowan Lester. Geoff Lemehan from Portmarnock is now first reserve.

Hurley had entered the US Amateur, which will be played at Olympia Fields in the Chicago suburbs, from August 17 – 23.

Unlike world No 14 Sharvin, who decided to play in Chicago following his Brabazon Trophy win, Hurley opted to remain at home instead to play at Royal Portrush.

But the scenario appeared to change this week with the USGA keen to see Open Championship hero Dunne in their event following his heroics at St Andrews, where he joint led the Open after 54 holes, eventually finishing tied 30th despite a closing 78.

With Great Britain and Ireland skipper Nigel Edwards also committed to being in Chicago to see his prospective team members (and the opposition) in action, the Irish players may have felt under pressure to impress him as they battle for one of 10 places in the Walker Cup side to face the USA at Royal Lytham and St Annes from September 12-13.

As a foursome partnership, Greystones' star Dunne and West Waterford man Hurley are unbeaten over the past two years having won five and half points out of six for Ireland in the Europeans, St Andrews Trophy and the Home Internationals.

County Down native Sharvin is considered by many a certainty to make the team alongside The Island's Gavin Moynihan, who is the only member of the GB&I squad with experience having played in the 2013 matches in the US.

in a statement explaining the section to support (Sharvin), Dunne and Hurley playing the US Anateur, the GUI said in a statement:

 

"Paul Dunne & Gary Hurley have withdrawn from the Ireland Home Internationals team and are replaced by Robin Dawson (Faithlegg/Maynooth University) and Rowan Lester (Hermitage).

Both players are expected to travel to the US Amateur Championship in Chicago instead with Dunne securing a provisional place in the field.

This will bring to three the number of GUI panel member in the US Amateur field, with Cormac Sharvin already confirmed to be competing.

"The US Amateur Championship is one of the two major amateur championships in the calendar and the GUI is delighted to have so many panel members exempt from qualifying" said GUI General Secretary Pat Finn.

"A decision was taken early this year to support our panel members in participating in the US Amateur, despite the clash with the Home Internationals, and we wish them well in representing Ireland on the biggest international stage".

Irish Team Captain, Tony Goode said "We'll miss Paul & Gary off the Home Internationals team, but in terms of the bigger picture it is great for Irish amateur golf to have our players competing at the US Amateur. I am confident that the two replacements we have brought in will do a fine job for Ireland."

The first reserve now for Ireland will be Geoff Lenehan (Portmarnock)."

Chris Doak. Picture/Getty Images

European Tour - Michael Hoey beat Sweden's Kristoffer Broberg 5 and 4 to reach the last 16 of the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay at Murcar Links.

The big local story was Scot Chris Doak taking down tournament host and local hero Lawrie in a thrilling encounter which went all the way to the 18th.

But as Doak won by one hole to set up a meeting with David Howell in round three, Hoey will now face Gregory Havret of France for a place in Saturday afternoon's quarter finals.

LPGA/LET - Suzann Pettersen carded a superb three under par 69 to storm into a two shot lead after the second round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open at a wet and windy Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire.

The Norwegian carded three birdies and dropped just one shot as she posted a 36-hole total of seven under par 137 to go into the third round with a two shot lead over New Zealand’s Lydia Ko,  Korean duo, So Yeon Ryu and  Jin-Young  Ko and Teresa Lu from Chinese Taipei on seven under par 137.

Jordanstown's Stephanie Meadow missed the five over cut by seven after an 82 featuring four birdies, nine bogeys, one double and a triple bogey eight.

Suzann Pettersen's 69

Web.com Tour - Seamus Power Missed the cut comfortably in the Utah Championship when he added a 77 to his opening 76 in Lehi. 

The five over round equalled the West Waterford man's high score this season and he's expected to slip five spots to 66th in the money list.

The victorious Kilkenny team who beat Carton House in the Leinster final of the Fred Daly Trophy at Athy, Joe McNamara of Leinster Golf presents the pennant to the Captain of Kilkenny, Liam Cody. Pictures (front): Jeff Kealy and Jack Walsh. Middle, from left: Assistant Team Manager, PJ Martin, Team Manager, Luke Kelly, Liam Cody, Captain of Kilkenny Golf Club, Joe McNamara of Leinster Golf and Jim Browne, Captain of Athy. Back: Luke Donald, Brian Crowdle, Kevin Power, Harry Duggan, Mark Power, Richard Duggan, Dylan Smithwick, Jack Condren and Morgan Walshe. Photo: Ronan Quinlan

Amateur golf - Kilkenny ended Carton House's hopes of a third Fred Daly Trophy All Ireland in six years when they beat the national champions in the Leinster final at Athy on Friday. 

Sam Walker. Picture/Getty Images

Mount Juliet's Kevin Phelan had five birdies in a 69 to share 11th spot at halfway in the Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI. 

Englishman Sam Walker and Pontus Widegren of Sweden shot 66s to tie for the lead at Santo da Serra on 11 under with Phelan on five under. 

While the afternoon groups enjoyed sunnier skies and lighter breezes on the Portuguese archipelago island, nobody could take advantage and displace the leading duo, who ended the day a shot clear of the first round pacesetter Antonio Hortal of Spain.

Rosapenna's touring pro Ruaidhri McGee was the only other Irish player to make the cut though his 73 left him nine behind,

Peter Lawrie (74) and Simon Thornton missed the two under par cut by five and seven shots respectively.

Scores:

133 S Walker (Eng) 67 66, P Widegren  (Swe) 67 66, 

134 A Hortal  (Esp) 63 71, 

136 P Relecom  (Bel) 68 68, S Henry  (Sco) 66 70, B Åkesson (Swe) 71 65, B Stone (RSA) 68 68, 

137 S Fallon (Eng) 68 69, P Oriol (Esp) 66 71, R Kakko  (Fin) 66 71, 

138 C Paisley  (Eng) 66 72, Kevin Phelan (Irl) 69 69, A McArthur  (Sco) 68 70, J Gonnet  (Fra) 69 69, N Elvira  (Esp) 64 74, J Lima  (Por) 70 68, C Shinkwin (Eng) 68 70, T Murray (Eng) 70 68, J Hansen  (Den) 67 71, R Davies (Wal) 67 71, R Fox (Nzl) 65 73, M Schneider (Ger) 66 72, 

139 D Huizing (Ned) 68 71, A Tadini (Ita) 68 71, P Maddy (Eng) 68 71, C Mivis  (Bel) 70 69, J Heath  (Eng) 70 69, C Del Moral (Esp) 69 70, 

140 A Pavan (Ita) 70 70, M Søgaard  (Den) 71 69, A Hartø  (Den) 66 74, S Gros (Fra) 65 75, J Walters (RSA) 67 73, W Harrold (Eng) 70 70, D Vancsik (Arg) 68 72, G Murray  (Sco) 69 71, D Im (USA) 67 73, R Gouveia (Por) 68 72, J Huldahl (Den) 71 69, E Cuartero Blanco  (Esp) 70 70, 

142  Ruaidhri McGee (Irl) 69 73, 

CUT

147 Peter Lawrie (Irl) 73 74,

149 Simon Thornton (Irl) 72 77.

Paul Lawrie. Picture: Getty Images

European Tour — Paul Lawrie made a brilliant start to the Saltire Energy Paul Lawrie Matchplay with a formidable 5&4 victory over Frenchman Romain Wattel at Murcar Golf Links.

Lawrie could have been forgiven a few first round nerves as he attempted to juggle being the tournament’s host and hometown hero, but he rose to the challenge magnificently as he took down one of Europe’s most talented young players.

While Lawrie emerged victorious in the first round of the straight knock-out competition, the tournament’s other Major Champion, American John Daly, was forced to catch an early flight home as he lost to Spain’s Jorge Campillo on the 18th green.

Other notable results from a thrilling first round of match play saw Michael Hoey beat Maximilian Kieffer 2 and 1 and the tournament’s other hometown boy – Richie Ramsay – recover from three down through seven holes against India’s Shiv Kapur to win one up on the last green having birdied the final two holes.

The tournament’s Number One seed, James Morrison, justified his status with a 2&1 win over Pelle Edberg.

Round One Results:

1. Julien QUESNE (FRA) bt Tom LEWIS (ENG) 1 hole
2. Scott HEND (AUS) lost to Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 1 Hole
3. Maximilian KIEFFER (GER) lost to Michael HOEY (NIR) 2&1
4. Kristoffer BROBERG (SWE) bt  Richard FINCH (ENG) 2&1
5. Richie RAMSAY (SCO) bt Shiv KAPUR (IND) 1 Hole
6. Magnus A CARLSSON (SWE) lost to Edoardo MOLINARI (ITA) 5&4
7. Matthew FITZPATRICK (ENG) bt Bradley DREDGE (WAL) 6&4
8. Peter UIHLEIN (USA) bt Oliver WILSON (ENG) 2 Holes
9. Chris WOOD (ENG) bt Jbe KRUGER (RSA) 5&4
10. Jorge CAMPILLO (ESP) bt John DALY (USA) 2 Holes
11. Raphaël JACQUELIN (FRA) lost to Seve BENSON (ENG) 2&1
12. Grégory HAVRET (FRA) bt David HORSEY (ENG) 5&4
13. Alex LEVY (FRA) bt Mark FOSTER (ENG) 2 Holes
14. Morten Ørum MADSEN (DEN) bt Alvaro QUIROS (ESP) 3&2
15. Tyrrell HATTON (ENG) bt Darren FICHARDT (RSA) 4&3
16. Robert ROCK (ENG) lost to Mikael LUNDBERG (SWE) 3&1
17. Anthony WALL (ENG) lost to Chris DOAK (SCO) 1 Hole
18. Romain WATTEL (FRA) lost to Paul LAWRIE (SCO) 5&4
19. Thomas AIKEN (RSA) bt Scott JAMIESON (SCO) 3&2
20. Andrew DODT (AUS) bt Oliver FISHER (ENG) 19th
21. Alejandro CAÑIZARES (ESP) bt Lucas BJERREGAARD (DEN) 7/6
22. Marcus FRASER (AUS) lost to Robert KARLSSON (SWE) 3&2
23. Grégory BOURDY (FRA) lost to Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL) 2&1
24. Trevor FISHER JNR (RSA) bt Thorbjørn OLESEN (DEN) 2 Holes
25. David HOWELL (ENG) bt Daniel BROOKS (ENG) 19th
26. Thomas PIETERS (BEL) lost to David DRYSDALE (SCO) 19th
27. Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) bt Wade ORMSBY (AUS) 19th
28. Andrew JOHNSTON (ENG) lost to Graeme STORM (ENG) 1 Hole
29. James MORRISON (ENG) bt Pelle EDBERG (SWE) 2/1
30. Johan CARLSSON (SWE) bt Marco CRESPI (ITA) 2/1
31. Marc WARREN (SCO) bt Richard BLAND (ENG) 1 hole
32. Felipe AGUILAR (CHI) lost to Fabrizio ZANOTTI (PAR) 1 Hole

Quadruple bogey blues for Seamus

Web.com Tour — Seamus Power made five birdies but a quadruple bogey eight meant he still opened with a four over 76 in the Utah Championship presented by Zions Bank. 

The West Waterford man started on the back nine at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi and birdied the 11th. But he then had two penalty drops as he made eight at the par-four 12th and racked up a double bogey seven at the 14th and a bogey at the 16th to go six over.The Charlotte based Waterford man then birdied the 18th to turn in 41 and picked up shots at the second, third and fifth only to drop two more at the sixth and eight for his second highest round of the season.Power, 28, has made 10 cuts from 16 starts and earned $65,179 to be 61st in the money list with one top 10 and seven top 25s with the Top 25 earning PGA Tour cardsKelly Kraft shot 63 in Utah to lead by three on nine under. Seven proves costly for Meadow

Stats leaders at Turnberry

LET/LPGA Tour — A triple bogey seven at the eighth damaged Stephanie Meadow's hopes of making the cut though she fought back to card a two over 74 in the Ricoh Women’s British Open at the Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire.

The Jordanstown native is tied for 93rd, nine shots behind Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, wh carded a superb seven under par 65 to storm into a one shot lead over New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and America’s Cristie Kerr (66s) and with two other Koreans, Q Baek and So Yeon Ru, on five under par 67. 

Reeve making stridesEPD Tour - Mourne's Reeve Whitson tied for 23rd in the Lotos Polish Open 2015, carding rounds of 73 74 73 to to finish on four over par at earn €382.20. Germany's Martin Keskari won by a shot on five under after rounds of 72 68 and 71 at Sierra Golf Club in Wejherowo.Whitson is 50th in the money list with €2,879.25 and six top 25s from his 13 starts so far. Headfort's Rory McNamara is 40th with Lucan's Richard O'Donovan 55th.

Spain’s Antonio Hortal. Picture/Getty

Rosapenna’s Ruaidhri McGee and Mount Juliet’s Kevin Phelan share 38th on three under after opening with 69s in the rescheduled Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI.

McGee had an eagle two at the 10th as well as two birdies in his round as Phelan racked up five birdies around Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra.

Spain’s Antonio Hortal, one over after four, carded eight birdies and an eagle in a nine under 63 and move into the lead.

Winner of the Challenge de Catalunya on home soil last year, he marginally missed out on graduation to the European Tour, finishing one place outside the crucial top 15 in the Road to Oman Rankings.

A victory this week would change everything for the 24 year old but he knows he cannot get ahead of himself with 54 holes still to play.

Nacho Elvira, meanwhile, continued his mercurial form this season with an impressive eight under par 64.

Two more in-form Challenge Tour players, New Zealand’s Ryan Fox and Frenchman Sebastian Gros – second and eighth respectively in the Road to Oman Rankings - were a shot further back after carding seven under rounds of 65.

The other two Irishmen in the field have work to do to make the cut with Simon Thornton 99th on level par after a 72 and Peter Lawrie a shot furhter back in 119th after a 73 feautring four birdies, three bogeys and a double.

Madeira Islands Open – Portugal – BPI

63 A Hortal  (Esp) , 

64 N Elvira  (Esp) , 

65 S Gros (Fra) , R Fox (Nzl) , 

66 A Hartø  (Den) , S Henry  (Sco) , M Schneider (Ger) , R Kakko  (Fin) , C Paisley  (Eng) , S Manley (Wal) , R Santos  (Por) , P Oriol (Esp) , 

67 D Im (USA) , R Davies (Wal) , J Hansen  (Den) , J Walters (RSA) , S Jeppesen  (Swe) , S Walker (Eng) , S Soderberg (Swe) , P Widegren  (Swe) , 

68 B Stone (RSA) , S Fallon (Eng) , P Maddy (Eng) , D Huizing (Ned) , S Tiley (Eng) , O Bekker (RSA) , A Velasco (Esp) , C Shinkwin (Eng) , S Heisele (Ger) , B Ritthammer (Ger) , A McArthur  (Sco) , R Gouveia (Por) , A Tadini (Ita) , M Orrin (Eng) , P Relecom  (Bel) , D Vancsik (Arg) , S Hutsby  (Eng) , 

69 J Gonnet  (Fra) , Kevin Phelan (Irl) , C Del Moral (Esp) , Ruaidhri McGee (Irl) , C Hanson (Eng) , F Calmels  (Fra) , S Wakefield (Eng) , N Geyger (Chi) , C Pigem (Esp) , M Bremner (RSA) , J Sandelin (Swe) , G Murray  (Sco) , J Rask (Swe) , C Arendell (USA) , S Einhaus (Ger) , 

72 Simon Thornton (Irl) 

73 Peter Lawrie (Irl) 

Alex Maguire (Laytown & Bettystown) with the 2015 Irish Boys Under 14 Amateur Open Championship trophy after his victory at Roscrea Golf Club today. (30/07/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

Laytown and Bettystown's Alex Maguire recovered from a double bogey seven at the fifth with birdies at the 11th, 13th and  17th  to card what proved to be a winning, one under 70 in the Irish Under 14 Boys Amateur Open for the Craddock Trophy at Roscrea,

One of the earlier starters, his score proved unbeatable though Slieve Russell’s Odhran Maguire, a brother of twins Lisa and Leona, came closest with level-par 71 that was worth second place.

Muskerry’s Jack Egan, Lisburn’s Aaron Marshall and Clandeboye’s Scott Miller all finished a further two shots back with 73s with Royal Tara’s Sean Whelan in sixth place after a 74.

Michael Connaughton (President, Golfing Union of Ireland) presenting Alex Maguire (Laytown & Bettystown) with the 2015 Irish Boys Under 14 Amateur Open Championship trophy after his victory at Roscrea Golf Club today. (30/07/2015). Also in the picture are Noel McMahon (Captain, Roscrea Golf Club) and John Moloughney (Chairman, Munster Branch, GUI).Picture by Pat Cashman

Winner Alex Maguire (Laytown & Bettystown) reacts to his missed birdie putt on the 12th green in the 2015 Irish Boys Under 14 Amateur Open Championship at Roscrea. (30/07/2015). Picture by Pat Cashman

Jack Egan (Muskerry) driving at the 13th tee in the 2015 Irish Boys Under 14 Amateur Open Championship at Roscrea Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Jack Shellard (Lisburn) reacts to a missed birdie putt on the 12th green in the 2015 Irish Boys Under 14 Amateur Open Championship at Roscrea Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Odhran Maguire (Slieve Russell) driving at the third,  Picture by Pat Cashman

Odhran Maguire (Slieve Russell) reacts to a missed birdie putt on the 16th green in the 2015 Irish Boys Under 14 Amateur Open Championship at Roscrea. Picture by Pat Cashman

Irish Boys Under 14 Amateur Open Championship, Roscrea Golf Club (CSS = 71 Par = 71)

70 Alex Maguire (Laytown & Bettystown)

71 Odhran Maguire (Slieve Russell)

73 Jack Egan (Muskerry), Aaron Marshall (Lisburn), Scott Miller (Clandeboye)

74 Sean Whelan (Royal Tara)

75 Thomas Stout (Royal Belfast), Rhys Goodall (Hilton Templepatrick), Sean Doyle (Black Bush)

76 Sean Carroll (Castle Dargan)

77 Edward Rowe (Tandragee), Eoin McGrath (Athlone), Loreano Pinotti (Enniscorthy), Cameron Fox (Tandragee), Stephan Campbell (The Island)

78 Simon Walker (Roscommon), Jack Shellard (Lisburn), Luke O'Neill (Connemara), Josh Mackin (Dundalk), Ronan Cowhey (Elm Park), Ryan McNelis (Fintona)

79 Shane Irwin (Killeen), Robert Galligan (Elm Park), Jack Walsh (Kilkenny), Stephen Rennick (Royal Curragh), Daragh Connolly (Castle Dargan), Eoin Sullivan (Carton House), Josh Black (Hilton Templepatrick), Martin Roche (Rosslare), Thomas Higgins (Roscommon)

80 Christopher Rabbette (Esker Hills), Max O'Leary (Muskerry), Conor Byrne (Strabane), Matthew Crumlish (Ashbourne), Mark Leahy (Tralee), Jack Brown (The Heath)

81 Alan Connaughton (Roscommon), Joshua McCabe (Roganstown G & CC), Daniel O Sullivan (Mallow)

82 Peter Taylor (Tandragee), Zak Collins (Douglas), Jamie Surgeoner (Galgorm Castle), Darragh Murphy (Blarney), Dara Conneely (Lahinch), Michael Troy (Dungarvan), David O'Malley (Black Bush), Glen Byrne (Glasson), Harry Masterson (Killeen), Sean Downes (Beaverstown), Luke Walsh (Killarney)

83 Rory Brown (Royal Co. Down), Lewis Fox (Tandragee), Connor Meehan (Strabane)

84 Jack McGahon (Roscommon), Jamie Hughes (Farnham Estate), Joseph Byrne (Baltinglass), Mark Duggan (Highfield), Eoin Lawless (Athenry)

85 Sam Murphy (Portumna), Luka Keyes (Glen of the Downs), Thomas Harte (Castle), Christopher Cosgrave (Elm Park), Conor Clarke (Balmoral), Max Kennedy (The Royal Dublin), Dylan Keating (Seapoint)

86 Finn O'Reilly (Naas), Conor Joynson (Dunmurry), Kevin McCarrick (United Arab Emirates)

87 Kevin McArdle (Elm Park), Darren Leufer (Athenry), Annraoi Collins (Laytown & Bettystown), Eoin O'doherty (Ballyliffin), Rory Milne (Faithlegg), Ben Crawford (Greenacres)

88 Finn Sullivan (Forrest Little.), Mark Stewart (Lisburn), Tom Flanagan (Co. Sligo), Kevin Collins (Douglas), Jake Lindy (Cahir Park), Sam Small (Elm Park)

89 James Breslin, Connor Owen (Wales), Eoghan McGinnity (Rossmore)

90 Toby McCandless (Royal Belfast), Daniel Flanagan (Co. Sligo), Ronan Feerick (Mallow), Harry Colbert (Galway)

91 Gavin Conor Herlihy (Portmarnock)

93 Jordan Boles (Charleville), Liam Barry (Delgany)

96 Kyle Rafferty (Greenore)

98 Darragh Cunningham

100 Sean Lacey (Castle)

Michael Ryan (New Ross), pictured during this year's Irish Boys Amateur Open at Tuam, was unstoppable on the final day of the Titleist Footjoy sponsored Leinster Boys Amateur Open at Balcarrick. Picture by Pat Cashman

He might have started the final day three shots off the pace but New Ross' Michael Ryan brilliantly birdied three of his last five holes for a magnificent three-shot victory in the Titleist Footjoy sponsored Leinster Boys Amateur Open at Balcarrick.

Kinsale's Gary Ward and Ballyhaunis' Andrew Hickey led by a shot at halfway from Dubai's Rayhan Thomas on one under with Ryan tied sixth on two over in his final event as a Boy.

Plus one handicapper Ryan then fired six birdies in a five under par, course record 68 in Thursday's shotgun start but still found himself two shots adrift of Ward, who posted a fine 69 to lead on five under with a round to go.

But it in the final round it was Ryan who surged ahead and having started on the second, he birdied the fourth, seventh and eighth and then followed bogeys at the ninth and 14th with a hat-trick of title winning birdies at the 15th, 16th and 17th for a 69 and a four round total of seven under 285.

Ward's one over 74 was the 14th best score of the day but while he had a superb tournament, finished on four under 288, he had no answer to Ryan's final round 69, which was the best score of the afternoon.

Michael Ryan. Picture via Facebook

Hilton Templepatrick's Reece Black closed with a 70 to tie for third with Royal Portrush's Peter Kerr.

Dubai's Rayhan Thomas was 24th after closing rounds of 76 and 81.

Leinster Boys Amateur Open Championship

Sponsored by Titleist Footjoy, Balcarrick Golf Club (Par 73, SSS 74, CSS Rnd 3 - 73; Rnd 4 -  73)

Detailed scores

285 Michael Ryan (New Ross Golf Club) 73 75 68 69

288 Gary Ward (Kinsale) 74 71 69 74

292 Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush) 79 74 68 71, Reece Black (Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club) 76 73 73 70

294 Eoin Leonard (Wentworth Golf Club) 74 73 71 76, John Brady (Rosslare) 71 76 72 75

295 Jack Doherty (Carton House) 74 76 72 73

296 Eric Doran (Palmerstown Stud) 73 76 73 74

298 Luke Cummins (West Waterford) 77 76 75 70, Alan Fahy (Bray) 73 75 77 73, John Murphy (Kinsale) 71 79 71 77

300 Henry Clark (Shandon Park) 77 77 73 73, Brendan Rossiter (Rosslare) 76 76 75 73, Owen Crooks (Bushfoot) 75 76 77 72, Marc Norton (Belvoir Park) 74 76 70 80

301 Mark Healy (Kinsale) 80 71 73 77, Charlie Mc Donnell (Castleblayney) 76 76 69 80, Nathan McCann (Lurgan Golf Club) 73 80 77 71

302 Thomas Mulligan (Co. Louth) 80 74 75 73, Ciaran Smyth (Greenore Golf Club) 79 72 78 73, Marc Boucher (Carton House) 78 73 78 73, Hugh O'Hare (Fortwilliam) 73 75 79 75, Andrew Hickey (Ballyhaunis Golf Club) 73 72 77 80

303 Gavin Fitzmaurice (Balcarrick) 78 74 73 78, Michael Joseph Kennelly (Athenry) 76 77 73 77, Peter Cummins (Lurgan Golf Club) 74 79 76 74, Rayhan Thomas (Dubai) 71 75 76 81

304 Adam McCormick (Scrabo Golf Club) 76 76 77 75

305 Brian Crowdle (Kilkenny Golf Club) 81 73 75 76, Jack Hearn (Tramore) 78 75 77 75, Ben Graham (Scrabo Golf Club) 75 76 79 75, Liam Whelan (Mount Wolseley) 72 77 78 78

306 Bill Hannan (Carton House) 79 75 77 75, Conor Kavanagh (Newbridge Golf Club) 75 77 79 75, Michael Shiel (Athenry) 75 76 76 79, Mark Power (Kilkenny Golf Club) 71 77 76 82

307 Kevin Power (Kilkenny Golf Club) 78 73 80 76, Joseph O Neill (Tralee Golf Club) 73 78 75 81

308 David McAleenon (Lisburn) 81 73 80 74, Aaron Ryan (Thurles) 74 79 80 75

309 Conor Rice (Athlone) 79 75 76 79

310 Barry Fitzpatrick (Castle) 80 73 77 80, Oisin Devereux (Carton House) 78 76 75 81, Benedict Cronin (Muskerry Golf Club) 74 76 77 83, T J Ford (Co. Sligo) 73 76 80 81

312 Sean Doyle (Athlone) 77 77 80 78

313 Jordan Logue (Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club) 76 77 78 82

314 Declan Kelly (Hermitage) 79 74 78 83

319 Paul Kelly (Glasson Golf Club) 79 72 84 84

Directors Stewart Kyle and Paul Shaw from the Irish Golf Expo, confirm the event will be uprooting to the Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn from November 28-29. Picture By John Murphy, Aurora PA.

The Irish Golf Expo will be uprooting to Northern Ireland’s newest and largest exhibition venue -the multi-million pound Eikon Exhibition Centre in Lisburn from November 28-29.

The event provides golfing enthusiasts from across the country the opportunity to attend Ireland’s only large-scale golf show, featuring a range of interactive golf zones, free PGA golf lessons and an indoor driving range for custom fitting and club testing of the game’s leading brands.  

Paul Shaw, director at Hawkeye Management, explained: “Our inaugural event at the King's Hall in Belfast was a fantastic success, but the priority for 2015 is having a venue with a central location and excellent accessibility for golfers from across Ireland and further afield.

"The new Eikon Exhibition Centre is set to become a world-class venue and with the promise of free on-site car parking, public transport options, modern facilities and friendly helpful staff.  It is the only site which can provide the facilities to our specification, all under one roof.”

Aimed at promoting participation of golf in Ireland and providing golf enthusiasts a chance to get up, close and personal with the latest equipment, gadgets and golf accessories, the 2015 Irish Golf Expo will be an unmissable event in the Irish golfing calendar.

Last year’s crowd favourite David Edwards will return to mesmerise visitors with a vast array of trick shots and impressions of golf’s top stars.

Accompanied by a range of workshops from the leading names in Irish golf, the show promises "a truly interactive golfing experience like no other."

For further information or for exhibiting opportunities visit www.irishgolfexpo.com

John Ross Galbraith. Photo: GUI/Ulster Branch

At this point of the season Ireland’s elite amateurs juggle an extremely busy schedule and the same can be said for the international duo of Colm Campbell and John-Ross Galbraith, the recently crowned North of Ireland champion - both of whom have been nominated by the Golfing Union of Ireland Ulster Branch to compete in next week’s Northern Ireland Open, in Association with SPHERE Global and Ulster Bank.

With this week’s announcement of the Irish Home Internationals team, Campbell and Galbraith will move straight onto Portrush to prepare for the defence of the team title Ireland won in Southerndown Golf Club in Wales last year where both players featured.  

“Firstly, I'm delighted to get picked for the Home Internationals, it was a goal of mine this year. I wanted to make the team so bad because it's at Portrush and it’s going to be a class week,” enthused Galbraith, who won the North of Ireland Championship at Portrush earlier this month after defeating Rosslare’s Gary Collins in a thrilling final that was decided on the second extra playoff hole.

“I'm especially looking forward to NI Open because I feel my game is in better shape than it was this time last year. I know if I play well I can do really well. I'm looking forward to the challenge and playing in front of the home crowd is going to be amazing,” added the 21-year-old, who plays out of Whitehead Golf Club.

Galbraith already has his eye on European Tour Qualifying School at the end of September and competed at Galgorm last year after completing a rare double by winning the Irish Close and Ulster Youths. He made the cut in 2014 but will look to improve on his tied 56th finish.

Campbell is also hoping to make an impression when competing against the professionals at Galgorm. 

“I’m really looking forward to playing in Galgorm next week. It’s a great event and great to play against these great players in front of home support, then head on to Portrush the following week to represent Ireland in the Home Internationals on home soil will be extra special again,” said the 28-year-old from Warrenpoint, who won the prestigious East of Ireland title in 2014 and has enjoyed another good season.

Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy and Knock’s Colin Fairweather, who will earn his first senior cap after reaching the final of the South of Ireland Championship at Lahinch last week, will join Galbraith and Campbell in Portrush.

McElroy was originally entered in the International European Amateur Championship in Slovakia alongside Robin Dawson, Paul Dunne, Alex Gleeson, Jack Hume, Gary Hurley, Paul McBride, Gavin Moynihan and Cormac Sharvin

Tiarnan McLarnon is the third amateur who will tee it up at Galgorm after the Massereene golfer won this year’s North of Ireland Strokeplay title at Galgorm.

Irish entries

1. Michael HOEY
2. Damien MCGRANE
3. Brian CASEY
4. Alan DUNBAR
5. Simon WARD
6. Richard KILPATRICK
7. Niall KEARNEY
8. Colm MORIARTY
9. Michael MCDERMOTT
10. Michael McGEADY
11. Chris SELFRIDGE
12. Niall TURNER
13. Dermot McELROY (AM)
14. Colm CAMPBELL (AM)
15. John Ross GALBRAITH (AM)
16. Tiaran MCLARNON (AM)
17. Colin FAIRWEATHER (AM)
18. Chris CARVILL
19. Gary WARDLOW
20. Reeve WHITSON
21. Gareth SHAW
22. Stephen GRANT
23. Simon THORNTON
24. Peter LAWRIE
25. Ruaidhri MCGEE

 

 

 

 

 

Eoin Leonard on his way to victory in 2013. Picture: Pat Cashman

Kinsale's Gary Ward shot a best of the day 71 to snatch a share of the lead in the Titleist sponsored Leinster Boys Amateur Open at Balcarrick.

Ward had six birdies in his two under effort to share the lead on one under 145 with Ballyhaunis's  Andrew Hickey, who had three birdies in a fine 72.

They lead by a stroke from Dubai prodigy Rayhan Thomas, 15, who went out in 41 but stormed home in three under 34 with three birdies and no dropped shots for a battling 75.

Wentworth's Eoin Leonard, the 2013 champion who is off to Yale University in the autumn, climbed to tied fourth on one over 147 alongside Rosslare's John Brady (76) after a 73.

There were also big improvements for Leinster senior interprovincials Kevin LeBlanc and Thomas Mulligan.

LeBlanc moved up from 118th to 64th as he followed his opening 83 with a 73. As for County Louth man Mulligan, he added a 74 to his first round 80 to tail the leaders by nine shots in tied 44th.

Dubai visitor Thomas has also entered the Mullingar Electrical Scratch Trophy at Mullingar Golf Club on Sunday and Monday next.

Leinster Boys Amateur Open, Balcarrick (Par 73)

Detailed scores

145 Gary Ward (Kinsale) 74 71 , Andrew Hickey (Ballyhaunis Golf Club) 73 72  

146 Rayhan Thomas (Dubai) 71 75  

147 Eoin Leonard (Wentworth Golf Club) 74 73 , John Brady (Rosslare) 71 76  

148 Alan Fahy (Bray) 73 75 , Michael Ryan (New Ross Golf Club) 73 75 , Hugh O'Hare (Fortwilliam) 73 75 , Mark Power (Kilkenny Golf Club) 71 77  

149 Reece Black (Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club) 76 73 , T J Ford (Co. Sligo) 73 76 , Eric Doran (Palmerstown Stud) 73 76 , Liam Whelan (Mount Wolseley) 72 77  

150 Benedict Cronin (Muskerry Golf Club) 74 76 , Jack Doherty (Carton House) 74 76 , Marc Norton (Belvoir Park) 74 76 , John Murphy (Kinsale) 71 79  

151 Mark Healy (Kinsale) 80 71 , Paul Kelly (Glasson Golf Club) 79 72 , Ciaran Smyth (Greenore Golf Club) 79 72 , Marc Boucher (Carton House) 78 73 , Kevin Power (Kilkenny Golf Club) 78 73 , Michael Shiel (Athenry) 75 76 , Ben Graham (Scrabo Golf Club) 75 76 , Owen Crooks (Bushfoot) 75 76 , Joseph O Neill (Tralee Golf Club) 73 78  

152 Gavin Fitzmaurice (Balcarrick) 78 74 , Adam McCormick (Scrabo Golf Club) 76 76 , Brendan Rossiter (Rosslare) 76 76 , Charlie Mc Donnell (Castleblayney) 76 76 , Conor Kavanagh (Newbridge Golf Club) 75 77  

153 Darragh Smith (Castle) 82 71 , Barry Fitzpatrick (Castle) 80 73 , Declan Kelly (Hermitage) 79 74 , Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush) 79 74 , Jack Hearn (Tramore) 78 75 , Luke Cummins (West Waterford) 77 76 , Jordan Logue (Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club) 76 77 , Michael Joseph Kennelly (Athenry) 76 77 , Peter Cummins (Lurgan Golf Club) 74 79 , Robert Nevin (Headfort) 74 79 , Aaron Ryan (Thurles) 74 79 , Nathan McCann (Lurgan Golf Club) 73 80  

154 Brian Crowdle (Kilkenny Golf Club) 81 73 , David McAleenon (Lisburn) 81 73 , Thomas Mulligan (Co. Louth) 80 74 , Conor Rice (Athlone) 79 75 , Bill Hannan (Carton House) 79 75 , Oisin Devereux (Carton House) 78 76 , Henry Clark (Shandon Park) 77 77 , Sean Doyle (Athlone) 77 77 , Darragh Monaghan (Walton Heath Golf Club) 77 77 , Alex Murray (The Island) 77 77 , Luke Donnelly (Kilkenny Golf Club) 76 78 , Michael Young (France) 74 80  

155 Cian Feeney (Co. Sligo) 83 72 , Aaron Bagnall (Millicent Golf Club) 81 74 , David Clince (Craddockstown) 80 75 , Matthew Fitzsimons (Ardglass Golf Club) 79 76 , Gareth Carr (Mullingar) 78 77 , Ross John O'Toole (Newbridge Golf Club) 77 78 , Stephen Kelliher (Killarney Golf Club) 77 78 , Mark Doogue (Baltinglass Golf Club) 75 80  

156 Kevin Le Blanc (The Island) 83 73 , Conor Mooney (Black Bush) 79 77 , Harry Duggan (Kilkenny Golf Club) 79 77 , Cillian Moloney (Fota Island) 78 78 , Patrick Brennan (Belvoir Park) 78 78 , Darragh Herlihy (West Waterford) 78 78 , Joseph Hanney (The Island) 78 78 , Cameron Raymond (Newlands) 78 78  

157 A.J. McCabe (Malahide Golf Club) 82 75 , Charlie Denvir (Powerscourt) 81 76 , Gabriel Gribben (Fortwilliam) 79 78 , Paddy Culhane (Galway Golf Club) 78 79 , Shane Hogan (The Heritage) 77 80  

158 Ward Farrell (Dunmurry) 83 75 , Matthew Grehan (Tullamore) 83 75 , Cian Commins (Ardee) 81 77 , Hugh Foley (The Royal Dublin) 80 78 , Jack McGarry (Rosslare) 80 78 , Paul Murphy (Rosslare) 78 80 , Ryan Corry (Clandeboye) 76 82 , Conor Keown (Greystones) 76 82  

159 Robert Browne (Castle) 86 73 , Oisin Fitzgerald (Tralee Golf Club) 83 76 , Eamonn O'Driscoll (Killarney Golf Club) 83 76 , Conor Hynds (Ardglass Golf Club) 82 77 , David Brady (Co. Sligo) 81 78  

160 James Cronin (Woodbrook) 83 77 , Stewart McCaw (Royal Belfast Golf Club) 83 77 , Conor Glennon (Glasson Golf Club) 82 78 , Jake Vickers (Balbriggan) 82 78 , John Bolger (Courtown) 81 79 , Robert Moran (Castle) 80 80 , Conor Roche (Mallow) 79 81 , David Burns (Cushendall Golf Club) 78 82 , Louis O'Hara (Athenry) 75 85  

161 George Morgan (Grange) 83 78 , Jack Johnston (Clandeboye) 83 78 , Michael Mc Gurk (Warrenpoint) 83 78 , Eoin Conway (West Waterford) 81 80 , Jamie Byrne (Mount Wolseley) 80 81 , Tommy Doran (Balbriggan) 77 84  

162 Ross Nelson (Belvoir Park) 83 79 , William Small (Tandragee Golf Club) 82 80 , Rory Murphy (Dun Laoghaire) 82 80 , William Eickholt (Portmarnock) 80 82 , Brendan O'Neill (Citywest Resort) 79 83 , Gareth Hogan (The Island) 78 84  

163 John Kerrisk (Killarney Golf Club) 85 78 , Ian Halpin (Cahir Park Golf Club) 84 79 , Zachariah Glynn (Bray) 84 79 , James Temple (Portmarnock) 83 80 , Daragh Coleman (Skerries) 82 81 , Sean Dunne (The Royal Dublin) 82 81 , Glenn Fry (Carrickmines Golf Club) 81 82  

164 Peter Rolston (Shandon Park) 85 79 , Spencer Adamson (K Club) 82 82 , Michael O Farrell (Galway Golf Club) 82 82  

165 Rory Hill (Tralee Golf Club) 86 79 , John Corbett Jnr (Thurles) 86 79 , Marc McCormack (Ashbourne) 84 81 , Brian Jnr Fehily (Newlands) 82 83 , Matthew Keane (Beaverstown Golf Club) 82 83  

166 Sean Kestell (Charlesland) 86 80 , Chris Black (Dunmurry) 86 80  

167 Jack Brophy (The Royal Dublin) 85 82 , Callum Slater (Headfort) 85 82 , Daniel McNally (Carton House) 83 84  

168 Cillian Hughes (Courtown) 85 83 , Seán Dowling (Beaverstown Golf Club) 85 83 , Seán Dodd (St. Anne's) 84 84  

169 Tom Groves (The Royal Dublin) 86 83 , Liam Jnr Jennings (Balmoral) 81 88  

172 Ciaran Henry (Strandhill Golf Club) 86 86 , Campbell Rodgers (Royal Portrush) 86 86 , Cian McCormack (Ashbourne) 83 89  

173 Sean Breheny (St. Anne's) 85 88 , Andrew Mays (Portmarnock) 85 88 , Caolan Murphy (Greenore Golf Club) 83 90  

175 Darren Cotter (Castletroy Golf Club) 88 87 , Conor Wynne (Co. Sligo) 84 91  

178 David Tyrrell (Newlands) 85 93 , Eoin Aherne (Mallow) 78 100  

DQ/WD Ronan Whelan (New Ross Golf Club) DQ , Lee Birrell (Newbridge Golf Club) DQ , Eanna Melville (Gort Golf Club) DQ , Daniel Molloy (Castle Barna) 88 WD , Sam Lewis (Greystones) NR WD

Rory McIlroy. Picture/Instagram

Any remote hope the PGA of America might have in seeing Rory McIlroy defend his US PGA title at Whistling Straits faded a little more on Wednesday when the world No 1 informed tournament officials that he will not be defending his World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational title in Akron next week.

“Unfortunately, I will not be defending my World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational title,” said McIlroy, who is still recovering from an ankle injury suffered in early July. “Best of luck to all the competitors, and I look forward to returning to Firestone in 2016.”

McIlroy is missing the Bridgestone Invitational for the first time since 2009. In his six previous appearances, he had four top-10 finishes, including his win last year.

McIlroy's assistant, Sean O'Flaherty, was bullish about his employer's chances of playing before the end of the season but the ankle injury the world No 1 says he picked up playing football appears likely to cost him the chance of defending in Wisconsin. 

The Co Down native is in danger of losing his world No 1 ranking to Jordan Spieth, who has has moved to world No 2  thanks to four PGA Tour victories, including two major championship wins this season, and victories at the Hero World Challenge and the Emirates Australian Open to end 2014.

Spieth’s 2014-15 PGA TOUR campaign continues to be one of the best in PGA history with 12 top-10 finishes, eight in the top three. With a victory at the Bridgestone Invitational, Spieth could take over the top spot in the Official World Golf Ranking at the same event in which McIlroy become No. 1 in the world with a victory last year.  

According to the PGA Tour:

"Spieth’s incredible season means and equally incredible lead in the FedExCup standings with 3,763 points – nearly doubling his closest competitor in Bubba Watson (2,043 points). Spieth’s FedExCup performance is so dominant that if Watson won the next three events, he would remain in second place behind the 22-year-old."

Now that the top 50 in the OWGR have qualified, below is a list of the 78 players who are now officially eligible to play.

Players can either win at the Quicken Loans National this week or move into the top 50 in the OWGR as of Monday, August 3, to finalize the field. Players have until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, July 31, to officially commit to the Bridgestone Invitational.

Ireland will have three players in the field in Shane Lowry, Graeme McDowell and Pádraig Harrington.

Lahinch Golf Club, the Old Course

Stuart Grehan earned 65 World Amateur Golf Ranking points for his victory in the South of Ireland at Lahinch — more than double Stuart Bleakley's bounty for his win in 2014.

An improved field last week helped the event move from Category F to D, meaning it is now back on a par with the other three provincial championships; the East, the West and the North.

Grehan's second provincial "major" win of the season also helped him jump 69 spots on the World Amateur Golf Ranking to 269th and earn his first senior international cap.

The other main Irish movers his week are Irish No 1 Cormac Sharvin, who rose one spot to 14th in the world, Gary Hurley up two to 25th, Paul McBride up 14 to 417th, Kevin LeBlanc up eight at 484th and Alex Gleeson, up 131 places to 493rd thanks to his victory in the Boyd Quaich at St Andrews.

Men's ranking — Women's ranking

In the women's rankings, Duke's Leona Maguire remained at No 1 with Olivia Mehaffey up four places to 31st following the European Ladies' Amateur Championship. Castletroy's Chloe Ryan also moved into the top 200 at 196th thanks to a 22 place rise.

Seven of the 2014 team (above) will be joined by Paul McBride, Colin Fairweather, Alex Gleeson and Stuart Grehan at Royal Portrush.

Defending champions Ireland will be looking to retain the title on home soil when Home International matches are played at Royal Portrush from 12-14 August.

he majestic Dunluce Links will be the venue for an event supported by Fairstone Financial Management and while Ireland had the in-form Open championship star Paul Dunne in their 11-man team, they will face a strong challenge from England, Scotland and Wales at the Co Antrim links.

The Open Championship will return to Royal Portrush within the next five years and while the date has yet to be announced — the Home Internationals could offer the R&A the perfect stage — a 2019 or 2020 date is expected.

As fo the Home Internationals, Wales will be looking to go one better, while Scotland will be looking to build on their victory at the European Men’s Team Championship earlier this month.

England were beaten semi-finalists in that tournament, and having won the title the last time the event was held in Ireland, they will be looking for more of the same in 2015 though several of their top players have entered the clashing US Amateur Championship.

The Dunluce links at Royal Portrush

"We are delighted once again to host the Home Internationals, and look forward to welcoming the teams and officials from the four Home Nations to such a magnificent venue as Royal Portrush,” said Albert Lee, Honorary Secretary of the Golfing Union of Ireland.

“We are also extremely grateful to Fairstone for their steadfast support of the event. Having supported the event in England two years ago and Wales last year, we are excited to be working with them, now, for the first time in Ireland.”

Lee Hartley, Chief Executive of Fairstone Financial Management, said: “We are pleased to once again sponsor the Home Internationals competition which gives elite amateurs the platform to showcase their talents at one of the world’s greatest golf courses. 

“We are proud to align our business with golf. This is a sport which is based on dedication, honesty and integrity - values which, as the UK’s largest Chartered Financial Planning firm, are integral to our business. We look forward to a great week ahead and wish everyone taking part the very best of luck.”

The team selected by the Golfing Union of Ireland for the Home Internationals is:

• Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint)
• Paul Dunne (Greystones)
• *Colin Fairweather (Knock)
• *Alex Gleeson (Castle/University College Dublin)
• *Stuart Grehan (Tullamore/Maynooth University)
• Jack Hume (Naas)
• Gary Hurley (West Waterford/Maynooth University)
• Gavin Moynihan (The Island)
• *Paul McBride (The Island)
• Dermot McElroy (Ballymena)
• John Ross Galbraith (Whitehead)

The team will be captained by Tony Goode (Lucan) and the team manager is John White (Co Armagh). The non-travelling reserves are Robin Dawson (Faithlegg/Maynooth University) and Rowan Lester (Hermitage).

*The asterisk beside players above indicates those making their Home Internationals debut.

Rayhan Thomas

Dubai's Rayhan Thomas is in Europe to grain experience and pick up silverware and he made a great start to his Irish trip with a bogey free 71 giving him a share of the lead in the Leinster Boys Amateur Open Championship at Balcarrick.

The 15-year old Dubai Amateur champion birdied the eighth and 12th to share top spot with Kinsale's John Murphy, Rosslare's John Brady and Kilkenny's Mark Power, two shots clear of Mount Wolseley's Liam Whelan.

Leinster Boys Amateur Open Championship, Balcarrick (Par 73)

Detailed scores

Sponsored by Titleist Footjoy Par 73 CSS 74 SSS 74

71 John Murphy (Kinsale), John Brady (Rosslare), Rayhan Thomas (Dubai), Mark Power (Kilkenny Golf Club)

72 Liam Whelan (Mount Wolseley)

73 Alan Fahy (Bray), Michael Ryan (New Ross Golf Club), Eric Doran (Palmerstown Stud), Joseph O Neill (Tralee Golf Club), Hugh O'Hare (Fortwilliam), Andrew Hickey (Ballyhaunis Golf Club), Nathan McCann (Lurgan Golf Club), T J Ford (Co. Sligo)

74 Benedict Cronin (Muskerry Golf Club), Marc Norton (Belvoir Park), Robert Nevin (Headfort), Gary Ward (Kinsale), Peter Cummins (Lurgan Golf Club), Jack Doherty (Carton House), Michael Young (FRANCE), Eoin Leonard (Wentworth Golf Club), Aaron Ryan (Thurles)

75 Conor Kavanagh (Newbridge Golf Club), Louis O'Hara (Athenry), Michael Shiel (Athenry), Owen Crooks (Bushfoot), Mark Doogue (Baltinglass Golf Club), Ben Graham (Scrabo Golf Club)

76 Charlie Mc Donnell (Castleblayney), Ryan Corry (Clandeboye), Conor Keown (Greystones), Jordan Logue (Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club), Brendan Rossiter (Rosslare), Reece Black (Hilton Templepatrick Golf Club), Luke Donnelly (Kilkenny Golf Club), Adam McCormick (Scrabo Golf Club), Michael Joseph Kennelly (Athenry)

77 Shane Hogan (The Heritage), Henry Clark (Shandon Park), Darragh Monaghan (Walton Heath Golf Club), Stephen Kelliher (Killarney Golf Club), Alex Murray (The Island), Luke Cummins (West Waterford), Ross John O'Toole (Newbridge Golf Club), Sean Doyle (Athlone), Tommy Doran (Balbriggan)

78 Cillian Moloney (Fota Island), Paul Murphy (Rosslare), Gareth Hogan (The Island), Patrick Brennan (Belvoir Park), Gavin Fitzmaurice (Balcarrick), Oisin Devereux (Carton House), Joseph Hanney (The Island), Paddy Culhane (Galway Golf Club), Kevin Power (Kilkenny Golf Club), Gareth Carr (Mullingar), Darragh Herlihy (West Waterford), Jack Hearn (Tramore), Cameron Raymond (Newlands), Eoin Aherne (Mallow), David Burns (Cushendall Golf Club), Marc Boucher (Carton House)

79 Harry Duggan (Kilkenny Golf Club), Bill Hannan (Carton House), Brendan O'Neill (Citywest Resort), Conor Rice (Athlone), Conor Mooney (Black Bush), Gabriel Gribben (Fortwilliam), Declan Kelly (Hermitage), Conor Roche (Mallow), Paul Kelly (Glasson Golf Club), Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush), Matthew Fitzsimons (Ardglass Golf Club), Ciaran Smyth (Greenore Golf Club)

80 Jack McGarry (Rosslare), Barry Fitzpatrick (Castle), Jamie Byrne (Mount Wolseley), William Eickholt (Portmarnock), Thomas Mulligan (Co. Louth), David Clince (Craddockstown), Hugh Foley (The Royal Dublin), Robert Moran (Castle), Mark Healy (Kinsale)

81 David Brady (Co. Sligo), Aaron Bagnall (Millicent Golf Club), David McAleenon (Lisburn), John Bolger (Courtown), Brian Crowdle (Kilkenny Golf Club), Cian Commins (Ardee), Glenn Fry (Carrickmines Golf Club), Eoin Conway (West Waterford), Charlie Denvir (Powerscourt), Liam Jnr Jennings (Balmoral)

82 Jake Vickers (Balbriggan), Darragh Smith (Castle), Spencer Adamson (K Club), Sean Dunne (The Royal Dublin), William Small (Tandragee Golf Club), Conor Hynds (Ardglass Golf Club), Daragh Coleman (Skerries), Matthew Keane (Beaverstown Golf Club), Rory Murphy (Dun Laoghaire), A.J. McCabe (Malahide Golf Club), Conor Glennon (Glasson Golf Club), Brian Jnr Fehily (Newlands), Michael O Farrell (Galway Golf Club)

83 Stewart McCaw (Royal Belfast Golf Club), Jack Johnston (Clandeboye), Cian Feeney (Co. Sligo), George Morgan (Grange), Michael Mc Gurk (Warrenpoint), Matthew Grehan (Tullamore), Caolan Murphy (Greenore Golf Club), James Temple (Portmarnock), James Cronin (Woodbrook), Daniel McNally (Carton House), Eamonn O'Driscoll (Killarney Golf Club), Kevin Le Blanc (The Island), Oisin Fitzgerald (Tralee Golf Club), Ward Farrell (Dunmurry), Ross Nelson (Belvoir Park), Cian McCormack (Ashbourne)

84 Zachariah Glynn (Bray), Marc McCormack (Ashbourne), Ian Halpin (Cahir Park Golf Club), Conor Wynne (Co. Sligo), Seán Dodd (St. Anne's)

85 John Kerrisk (Killarney Golf Club), Seán Dowling (Beaverstown Golf Club), Andrew Mays (Portmarnock), Peter Rolston (Shandon Park), Sean Breheny (St. Anne's), Jack Brophy (The Royal Dublin), David Tyrrell (Newlands), Cillian Hughes (Courtown), Callum Slater (Headfort)

86 Robert Browne (Castle), John Corbett Jnr (Thurles), Tom Groves (The Royal Dublin), Ciaran Henry (Strandhill Golf Club), Campbell Rodgers (Royal Portrush), Chris Black (Dunmurry), Sean Kestell (Charlesland), Rory Hill (Tralee Golf Club)

88 Daniel Molloy (Castle Barna), Darren Cotter (Castletroy Golf Club)

NR Sam Lewis (Greystones)

NS Lee Birrell (Newbridge Golf Club), Eanna Melville (Gort Golf Club), Ronan Whelan (New Ross)

Rayhan Thomas

Dubai teenager Rayhan Thomas may beI  used to winning in the oppressive heat of the desert but the 15-year old prodigy Is ready to become the youngest winner of the Mullingar Electrical Scratch Trophy this weekend.

Coached by Dubai based Ulsterman Justin Parsons, Thomas is the undisputed No 1 amateur golfer in the UAE having become the first golfer to win a treble of Dubai Creek, Emirates Amateur & EGC this year. 

Determined to turn professiona, he told journalist Joy Chakravarty: "Golf is now the No1 priority for me. It was studies earlier, but now it is golf.

“I have spoken a lot to Justin Parsons, who is my coach, and my parents. I am just 15 right now, and we will take a decision on turning pro depending on how I am playing  after two or three years.

“We have kept the options open. If my game is good enough, I would try the Asian Tour or the European Tour Qualifying School. If not, I will try and get to some college on a golf scholarship and play college golf.”

According to Chakravarty, Rayhan started playing at the age of nine and is now a +3 handicapper.

"His development has been so good, his father, John Thomas, is considering taking him out of school and starting him on home school so that he can concentrate on his golf.

“St Mary’s has been very kind to him, but it is becoming more and more difficult to take days off for his golf tournaments. We are seriously thinking of starting home schooling for him. He has been a good student, but I think he has already made up his mind to make golf his profession,” said John.

Rayhan is out on a journey of exploration to the UK this summer. He then plans to play all the MENA Golf Tour events later in the year.

“I am going to the UK to play a few events there. My last event is the British Boys, which is at Royal Birkdale. I am pretty pumped up for that one especially,” he said.

“It’s going to be hard for me, simply because playing here, I am not used to walking. And there, we have to walk and carry our own bags. I will have to play 36 holes on certain days, and I am sure there will be wind and rain every day.

“The fitness aspect of the game is something that I have worked a lot on recently with Claudine Foong at the Butch Harmon School of Golf. She has helped me understand how to prevent injuries and how to become stronger and flexible."

The field is a strong one for the 53rd staging with South of Ireland runner up Colin Fairweater, who will make his international debut next month, set to play in the opening two rounds on Sunday.

North of Ireland winner John Ross Galbraith, former winner Daniel Holland and holder Geoff Lenehan will also tee it up. 

The top 51 after the opening 36 holes quality for the final 36 on Monday..

Draw for Rounds 1 & 2 (Sunday 2nd August)

06:22

11:22

D. Egan (New Forest)

R. Cannon (Laytown & Bettystown)

D. Morgan (New Forest)

06:30

11:30

M. Kelly (Mullingar)

C. Slevin (New Forest)

E. Ryan (Lucan)

06:38

11:38

R. Brazil (Naas)

C. Stone (Carton House)

J. Swarbrigg (Mullingar)

06:46

11:46

J. Dromey (Mullingar)

A. McCormack (Castletroy)

P. Behan (St. Annes)

06:54

11:54

K. Metcalfe (Mullingar)

S. O’Connor (Carton House

R. McKinley (Mullingar)

07:02

12:02

C. Kennedy (Forrest Little)

D. King (Tramore)

M.Buggy (Castlecomer)

07:10

12:10

R. Maher (Mullingar)

C. Dunphy (Killeen Castle)

P.O’Sullivan (Bray)

07:18

12:18

J. Hood (Galgorm Castle)

G. McGrane (Royal Dublin)

L. McMillan (Craddockstown)

07:26

12:26

M. Duffy (Naas)

D. O’Neill (Carton House)

J. McDonnell (Forrest Little)

07:34

12:34

J. Pierse (Portmarnock)

C. Woodbroofe (Blainroe)

B. McGarry (Birr)

07:42

12:42

J. Sutherland (Galgorn Castle)

P. Neville (Bearna)

S. Hogan (Nenagh)

07:50

12:50

J. Hickey (Cork)

R. Symington (Lisburn)

C. Rafferty (Dundalk)

07:58

12:58

D. Reidy (Co.Sligo)

J. Whelan (Newlands)

J. Walsh (Castle)

08:06

13:06

B. Best (Rathmore)

S. Watts (Cairndhu)

G. Carr (Mullingar)

08:14

13:14

R. Bridges (Stackstown)

T. McLarnon (Masserene)

M. Morrissey (Mount Wolseley)

08:22

13:22

E. Griffin (Waterford)

C. O’Rourke (Naas)

B. Anderson (Royal Dublin)

08:30

13:30

S. Flanagan (Co. Sligo)

R. Thomas (Dubai Creek)

A. Lowry (Esker Hills)

08:38

13:38

C. Fairweather (Knock)

J. Fox (Portmarnock)

J. Yates (Naas)

08:46

13:46

J.R. Gailbraith (Whitehead)

G. Lenehan (Portmarnock)

J. Hopkins (Royal Dublin)

08:54

13:54

D. Holland (Castle)

K. McDonagh (Royal Dublin)

E. Arthurs (Forrest Little)

09:02

14:02

K. Stack (Dungarvan)

R. Mullarney (Galway)

M. Shanahan (Castlemarytr)

09:10

14:10

J. Lyons (Galway)

S. McGlynn (Carton House)

S. Healy (Carton House)

09:18

14:18

J. Greene (Portmarnock)

A. Grant (Dundalk)

A. Doran (Ardee)

09:26

14:26

R. Walsh (Kilkenny)

C. Cunningham (Carton House)

C. Hughes (Galway)

09:34

14:34

C. Nolan (Galway)

L. Grehan (Mullingar)

G. Nugent (Kilkenny)

09:42

14:42

D. Murphy (Portarlington)

P. Burke (Mullingar)

N. Pratt (Tascosa)

09:50

14:50

S. Barker (Mourne)

G. Shaw (Mullingar)

C. Blackmore (Dundalk)

09:58

14:58

C. Crowley (Woodbrook)

L. Ashby (Naas)

J. Fletcher (Warrenpoint)

10:06

15:06

R. Knightly (Royal Dublin)

R. Pierse (Grange)

M. Nolan (Delgany)

10:14

15:14

G. Lawlor (Craddockstown)

T. O’Connor (Athlone)

B. Doran (Palmerstown)

 

 

Leona Maguire

World amateur No 1 Leona Maguire came up four shots shy in her bid to join Stephanie Meadow in this week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open at Turnberry.

The Duke and Slieve Russell star shot a four over 78 in the battle for 12 spots from Final Qualifying at Irvine Golf Club on Monday, finishing tied 36th. Scoring

England’s Charlotte Ellis, the 29-year-old former England international and past Helen Holm Scottish women’s amateur stroke play champion, led the qualifiers in miserable, wet conditions.

Out first at 7.30am, her superb round of five-under-par 69 proved unbeatable with Georgia Hall getting closest with a four-under 70. 

At the end of the regulation play, there was a play-off involving the six competitors who returned par-matching 74s. The six went out again in the still wet conditions after 6.30pm with the last four qualifying places and the first two alternate places at stake. 

Madelene Sagstrom, the World No 3 female amateur from Sweden, Scot Vikki Laing, Rebecca Hudson from England and Minea Blomqvist of Finland secured their starting spots at Turnberry by parring the first play-off hole.

Celine Herbin (France) and Liz Young (England) and both had bogeys 5s and were left to contest the first and second alternate places. The nine players who had finished on 75 played-off for the third and fourth alternate spots.

World Amateur No 2 Bronte Law was disqualified for using a distance measuring device at the fourth hole while Ireland’s Hermoine Fitzgerald shot an 81.

Final Qualifier at Irvine Golf Club (Par 74)Qualifiers for Turnberry

69 C Ellis  (Eng)

70 G Hall (Eng)

71 A Simon (SAfr)

72 N Holleder (Ger), C Mertens (Ger) (am)

73 S Walker (Eng), M Balikoeva (Russia), C Booth (Sco)

74 L Strom (Swe) (am), V Laing (Sco), R Hudson (Eng), M Blomqvist (Fin)

FAILED TO QUALIFY

74 (eliminated in play-off) C Herbin (Fra) 1st alternate. L Young (Eng) 2nd alternate

75  M Sagstrom (Swe) (am) 3rd alternate, P Sanz (Spa) 4th alternate, A Peters (Eng), M Jorgensen (Den),  C Leathem (Eng) (am), A Lewis (USA). A Vilatte (Fra), B Morgan (Wal), B Mozo (Spa)

76 M Beautell ( Spa), W Hillier (Australia), L Johansson (Swe) (am), E Goddard (Eng), S Keech (Eng) (am), A-K Lindner (Ger)

77 E Henrikson (Swe) (am), L Taylor (Eng), S L Bregman (SAf), L Murray (Sco), Jing Yan (China), N Tamminen (Fin), E Givens (Eng)

78 Leona Maguire (Ire) (am), V Derrey (Fra), B Brewerton (Wal), C Williams (Wal) (am), C Afonso (Fra), C Leurquin (Bel), C Bristow (NZ), C Wolf (Austria), K Macdonald (Sco), C Woods (USA)

79 D Luna (Ita), S Hassan (Eng), M Rigon (Ita)

80 T Boyes (Eng), J Bradley (Eng) (am), M MacLaren (Eng) (am),  H MacRae (Sco), I Ramsay (Swe), S-J Smith (Australia), C Martens (Norway), M Wold (Norway) (am) 

81 H Fitzgerald (Ire), A Dimmock (Eng), H Aitchison (Eng) 

82 M Silva (Spa), M Sanz (Spa) 

84  I Clyburn (Eng) (am), G Clews (Eng) (am), S Na (Australia), A Gray (Eng) 85 C C Bulford (USA) (am), J Maihaniemi (Fin) 

86 C Ricolfi (Ita) (am), M Nicol (Eng) 

90 E Slater (Eng) (am)

DISQ Bronte Law (Eng) (am)
 

Thomas Mulligan. PICTURE PAT CASHMAN

The Island's Kevin LeBlanc and County Louth's Thomas Mulligan came close to making the Irish Senior team for the Home Internationals. But after helping Leinster win the senior Interpros for the first time in seven years, they will lead a strong Irish Boys team in the Boys' Home Internationals in Wales next month.

With Conor Purcell, Peter Kerr, Cathal Butler and in form players like Devin Morley, Marc McKinstry joined by talented young stars such as Marc Norton, Marc Boucher, Rory Williamson and Alan Fahy, the future looks bright for Irish golf.

The side to travel to Conwy in north Wales from August  4-6 is:

Ireland Boys

• Conor Purcell (Portmarnock)
• Kevin LeBlanc (The Island)
• Thomas Mulligan (Co Louth)
• Peter Kerr (Royal Portrush)
• Cathal Butler (Kinsale)
• Marc McKinstry (Cairndhu)
• Marc Norton (Belvoir Park)
• Marc Boucher (Carton House)
• Devin Morley (Oughterard)
• Alan Fahy (Bray)
• Rory Williamson (Holywood)