Yates takes route 66 to Midlands Scratch Cup glory
Naas' Jonathan Yates, pictured during the Irish Close at Tramore, equalled the course record of 66 to win the Midlands Scratch Cup at Carlow. Picture: Pat Cashman
Jonathan Yates is one of the most improved players in Ireland this year and he got his reward at Carlow on Sunday when he closed with a course-record equalling 66 to win the prestigious Midlands Scratch Cup.
His four under par closing 66, which equalled the course record held by Carlow's John Greene, helped him finish on two over 282, four shots clear of Slieve Russell's Seamus Cullen.
Cullen was going for a hat-trick of wins but even a magnificent 68 was not enough to stop Yates, whose fellow Naas clubman Liam Ashby was third on 286.
Best of the home club players was Andrew Harte with a four round total of 299.
Midlands Scratch Cup 2015, Carlow Golf Club (Par 70)
Overall Position R1 R2 R3 R4 Total
- Yates, Jonathan Naas 70 72 74 66 282
- Cullen, Seamus Slieve Russell 72 73 73 68 286
- Ashby, Liam Naas 69 71 71 75 286
- Mullarney, Ronan Galway 72 74 74 67 287
- O'Rourke, Conor Naas70 74 74 69 287
- Murphy, Daniel Portarlington 74 70 71 73 288