Gavin Moynihan missed out on the Irish Open last year despite winning the Irish Amateur Open. Will Robbie Cannon get a chance this year? Picture by Pat CashmanThe GUI has selected Gavin Moynihan, Kevin Phelan and Reeve Whitson to join Welsh Amateur Rhys Pugh in the Irish Open at Carton House from June 27-30. But who would you like to see get the other eight invitations to tee it up?
Rory McNamara impressed on the final day in Wales. Picture by Pat CashmanHeadfort’s Rory McNamara presented his credentials as another Irish candidate worthy of Walker Cup consideration when he finished eighth in the Welsh Amateur Open Strokeplay Championship at Royal Portcawl.
Rhys Pugh of Wales proudly shows off the trophy at Carton House. Picture by Pat CashmanWelsh teenager Rhys Pugh showed why he was such a heart-breaker for the United States in last year’s Walker Cup when he defied winds gusting over 20mph and closed with a sensational six under 66 to win the Chartis sponsored European Individual Amateur Championship by a shot at a windswept Carton House.
GUI President, Eugene Fayne (right), presents the Irish Amateur Open trophy to Rhys Pugh (Wales). Also pictured is JJ Murphy, Captain, The Royal Dublin Golf Club. Credit: Pat Cashman, courtesy GUI.Welsh teenager Rhys Pugh took a giant step towards securing his Walker Cup place when he claimed the Irish Amateur Open after dramatic three-hole aggregate play-off at a wind-lashed Royal Dublin.
As Greystones’ Paul Dunne agonisingly missed out on the extra time action by a shot after lipping out at the last, the 17-year old international from Pontypridd grabbed the first senior win of his career when he beat 22-year old Scot Gordon Stevenson by four shots over the 16th, 17th and 18th in winds gusting over 30 mph.
Rhys Pugh in action in last year’s Abu Dhabi Junior Championship.Welsh teenager Rhys Pugh will take a one-stroke lead over Scotland’s Gordon Stevenson into today’s final 36 holes of the Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal Dublin.
The 17-year old Pontypridd schoolboy, considered a certainty to represent Great Britain and Ireland in September’s Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen, followed a 72 in Friday’s gales with a two under par 70 in benign conditions yesterday (CSS 75) when he birdied the 18th from 12 feet to lead on two under par 142.
Just 68 players in the elite 120-man field broke 80 and only one broke par as high winds and a relentless course set up led to carnage on the opening day of the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.
A stiff south-east breeze, gusting well over 30 mph from late morning, whipped across the course for the rest of the day as scores soared into the 90s.
Holland’s Robin Kind might have learnt the game on a Harry Colt designed links course but while he didn’t feel quite at home he was still the only man to finish in red figures. But even that required him to hole out from 87 yards for an eagle two at the 16th and then get up and down for par at the last two holes.
