Temple digs deep to win Cactus Thaw Invitational

James Temple. Picture: Jay Hemphill (WMNU)

Malahide gunslinger James Temple became the first freshman to win a tournament for Western New Mexico when he claimed the Cactus Thaw Invitational an El Paso.

Now playing out of Portmarnock Golf Club, the Dubliner opened with a freshman record, six-under 65 to lead by two strokes at Lonestar Golf Club,

He then dug deep and carded a second round 72 on a cold and windy Monday to win by two strokes from Midland College's Max Charles on five-under 137.

"I'm extremely proud of the way James held his composure today," said Mustang Head Coach Kent Beatty of the first tournament win for a first-year player in the school’s history.

James Temple

"He had a chance to lose it and he just refused ... very impressive.

“As a team, we didn't have our best stuff in the first round and weren't able to help James much, but this event is a good preview to the conditions we'll see in San Antonio and Lubbock in our next two events."

Coached by Kilkenny native Eoin Gibbins, Temple is likely to return to action in San Antonio for the St. Mary's Invitational on February 23.