Golfer John Doyle conquers Cork Golf Club again

John Doyle conquered Cork Golf Club for the second time in two weeks as he came from behind to win the C2O Group sponsored Munster Stroke Play. Fresh from his win at the Irish Boys, Doyle is now two from two in Little Island.

It was a super weekend for golf in Cork, a strong field took on the Alister MacKenzie signature course which was in great condition. 

The 75 strong field including West of Ireland Champion Dylan Holmes (Greystones), Flogas Irish Boys’ Amateur Open Champion John Doyle (Fota Island) and the recently returning Stuart Grehan (Co. Louth). Holder Paul Coughlan and previous winners Karl Bornemann and Barry Anderson were also in the field.

From the initial field at the Little Island course on Saturday, just 33 remained by Sunday morning and it was an ever changing leaderboard. 

Cork’s Jonathan O’Sullivan led after the opening round with an impressive 69 in windy conditions. By Saturday afternoon there was a three way tie for the lead, Keith Egan TJ Ford and James O’Rourke were out in front. Egan in particular impressed with a five under par 67 after a great display of putting.

In the final round it was the 17-year-old Mitchelstown native who would battle his way to the top, taking a one-shot victory in what would be one of the tightest finishes the championship had seen for many years.

Doyle would finish his third-round level par for the tournament, rounds of 72, 71 and 73 leaving him in a tie for sixth and five off the lead as the final round got underway. 

But as shown by his victory at the Flogas Irish Boys’ Championship just a week earlier, the young star knew he could go low once again.

“I knew a score was out there, but I just hadn’t done it yet”, said Doyle. 

“I was thinking just to try and go low and just make my fair share of birdies and just play aggressive.”

The aggressive play certainly paid off as birdies dropped on four of his opening six holes before a double bogey on eight threatened to throw him out of the race. 

But again showing his mental toughness and sticking to his gameplan, he rallied with birdies on 11, 12, 13 and 17 to help card an impressive six under round of 66. He went from level par after 54 holes to -6 after 72 to claim another major win.

It was a nervous wait as Ross Latimer, Murphy, Ford and a resurgent Egan came chasing for the lead but, in the end, for the second time this season, silverware would be heading to the Doyle household as John’s proud parents Catherine and Barry watched on.

“I’m delighted with it to be fair. I feel like I have a good chance when I come here but I still have to do it. I did not put myself in a great spot heading into the final round, but I’m just delighted I did what I did this afternoon”, said Doyle.

“They were both there for the final round, which was nice, just to have them both there, cheering me on. I was just delighted to win with them there. It feels good.” 

Doyle is one of the youngest winners of the Cork Scratch Cup, a trophy that dates back to 1923. He also took home the Bruen Carr Trophy which is awarded to the top Under 25 golfer.

Cork provided a stiff test over the four rounds. There were scores of 9,11 and 12 on the danger holes like the fifth, sixth, sixteenth and seventeenth, and equally the there were a handful of eagles on the par fives. 

There was also an eagle on the 12th when Evan Farrell went for the green off the tee. The Co Louth golfer found a greenside bunker but holed out with his second after a great sand shot.

There were 17 Cork golfers in action with just over half making the cut. James Walsh shot a final round 71 to jump up to 9th place and Sean Barry and David Howard finished in the top twenty. 

Dean O’Riordan shot a second round 69 to get into the top five at the halfway stage but couldn’t build on that on the second day. Cork’s Paddy Quill was a reserve when play started on Saturday morning and he got his start when there was a late withdrawal. He made the most of his opportunity by shooting two rounds of 74 to make the cut. 

A third round 71 was the highlight for him on Sunday.