Latest news with #AIGIrishMen'sAmateurCloseChampionship
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Grehan makes history as he claims the Men's Amateur Close Championship
County Louth golfer Stuart Grehan made history as he claimed the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship in Westport. 20 years on from a famous victory for Rory McIlroy at the County Mayo venue, it was Grehan who made a statement with this win in resplendent sunshine, on the back of his Flogas Irish Men's Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint in May. Peter O'Keeffe (2021) is the only other golfer to have completed that double, since a young Padraig Harrington's sensational feat way back in 1995, just before he turned professional. 'My game, I feel like it's really good, really strong,' said Grehan. 'I can probably be a bit too hard on myself and I'm always trying to work on that but I was getting a little bit frustrated just with the putting, but I'm absolutely delighted to be standing here as a Close champion.' Carton House golfer Alex Kerins made the big move on Sunday, when he shot nine birdies for a scintillating 64 and the clubhouse lead at 11-under. Stuart Grehan with his wife Carla and son Kai. Pic: @Tom Maher/Inpho. Grehan had posted 65 on Friday and 73 in the second round, and after a 70 earlier on Sunday, he only had one shot to spare when Kerins signed for his score. The Tullamore native had bogeyed the Par 3 12th but soon steadied with back-to-back pars. Grehan had birdied four and five earlier in his round and that put him in the ascendency while his playing partner struggled. Benjamin Oberholzer (Clandeboye) had bogeys on four, six and ten and that put paid to his chances, with a birdie on 13 only meaning he was still three shots in arrears. Grehan regained his amateur status ahead of the season and he showed all of his experience down the back nine, with a birdie on 15 sealing the win. 'It was a little bit stressful coming in there but I felt my game all day, ball-striking wise, was very strong so just kind of backed it up then coming in and very happy now,' said Grehan. 'I had 18 as my target, 18-under, but it was a bit trickier today. I definitely hit it well enough, just my putting wasn't the best today, but I was delighted to get over the line. 'I hit the shots I needed to hit coming down the stretch, so delighted.'
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Stuart Grehan targets Irish Close history in Westport
County Louth golfer Stuart Grehan holds a narrow two-shot lead going into the final day of the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship, as he looks to make history in Westport. The reigning Flogas Irish Men's Amateur Open Champion will aim to become the first golfer since Peter O'Keeffe (Douglas) in 2021 to do the double. The Tullamore native shot a second round 73, to follow up his brilliant 65 on Friday, and he lies on eight-under, ahead of Benjamin Oberholzer (Clandeboye). Jack McDonnell (Royal Dublin) is one shot further in arrears with Mark Gazi (Tralee) rounding out the top four on four-under. Grehan made an eagle on the second and birdied the fifth but despite getting to 11-under early in his round on Saturday, he couldn't push on and dropped shots on the tenth and 12th. And while no golfer had done the Open and Close double since Padraig Harrington (1995), before O'Keeffe's success four years ago, Grehan will take it in his stride with 36 holes remaining tomorrow. 'It'd be cool,' said Grehan. 'I kind of set a goal at the start of the year to try to get two or three wins so it'd be nice to do that tomorrow. My game is good, I'm happy enough with everything. Two-shot lead, I would have taken that at the start of the week, go out tomorrow and give it a go. 'I played lovely the front nine (today), then the back nine, just hit one bad shot in on ten and from there I was fighting my game the whole way through. Not very happy to be honest but two-shot lead, so hopefully it comes out tomorrow. 'Just went through a bit of a lull, that always happens in every tournament so hopefully tomorrow, get a good night's sleep, and get after it. 'Tomorrow is going to be a long day, so I'll be ready.' Oberholzer held the clubhouse lead for much of the day, with back-to-back rounds of 70 helping him to a six-under total. McDonnell was one of the late finishers and he needed a birdie on the last to equal his Clandeboye counterpart, but had to settle for par. Aodhagan Brady (County Sligo) had the low round of the day with a brilliant 69 dragging him back into contention and away from the cut mark on one-under. Westport's Conor Stapleton made it through on level par. Fellow Mayo golfer Cormac Ó Muirithe (Belmullet) also made it safely through to Sunday. However, it will be Oberholzer who will be Grehan's biggest challenger early in the third round on Sunday morning. 'It was a pretty solid second round, a lot less stressful, only one bogey. Just kept it out of trouble and when the birdies came, they came,' said Oberholzer. 'This is the first time (playing Westport) but really liking it. Really like the back nine. The back nine is tougher but if you hit good shots there are birdie opportunities out there. 'Bogeyed the tenth but then got a few birdies after that, hit it close on 13, made birdie there, and then took a few birdies off. 'I had a good three-under yesterday, so just try to do the same thing and not chase the score as much. I'm probably going to hit some balls now, work on the driver a bit, stay calm out there, don't force it. 'If it's going to happen, it's going to happen but I've done all the practise beforehand so if it happens it's good. 'But if not, just keep practising.'
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Abom eyes chance to follow McIlroy into Irish Close history
Thomas Abom has the chance to make history this weekend and become the first golfer to defend the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship since Rory McIlroy. McIlroy, who won this title in 2005 and 2006, was victorious when the event last took place in Westport and with the event returning to the county Mayo venue on Friday, the Edmondstown golfer is eyeing up more history. The then 19-year-old Abom claimed the title in dramatic fashion at Dun Laoghaire last year, defeating hometown favourite Richard Sykes on the 20th hole of their playoff to become the first Edmondstown player to win an Irish championship, a winning moment that remains fresh in his mind. 'When I think back, I just think of all the Dun Laoghaire members around and then there was about 10 supporters from Edmondstown,' said Abom. 'The second hole, when I hit the shot to four feet and just the 10 people from Edmondstown going crazy, and then making the putt, that's what really comes to mind, the winning putt, the winning moment, I would play that a lot in my head.' Since that breakthrough, Abom has been in strong form at home and abroad. A runner-up finish at the Boyd Quaich Memorial Tournament in Scotland, a top five at the Mullingar Scratch Trophy, and a Scratch Cup victory at Hermitage Golf Club have all fuelled his confidence heading into one of the biggest events of the year. 'I've been playing well. I've been putting myself in good chances to win. I just need to piece it all together, but I'm happy with my game,' said Abom. 'The game feels good, so no reason why I can't go out and win it.' The championship's 72-hole stroke play format will see the first round played on Friday and the second Saturday, followed by 36 holes on Sunday to crown the winner, and having been through it all on his way to victory last year, Abom knows patience will be key. 'With four round tournaments, there's always going to be lads shooting low in the first round, but what you come to realise is that it's the lads who can stick around, and then you pounce', said Abom. 'You've got four rounds, so it's kind of a slow burn. Just waiting for your time.' West, East and South of Ireland champions Dylan Holmes (Greystones), David Howard (Fota Island) and Jonathan Keane (Lahinch) will be among the field while there will also be strong Mayo interest, led by Westport's own Conor Stapleton and former member Harry Gillivan (Portmarnock). Ryan Corrigan and Kevin Barry (both Castlebar), Max Humphreys (Ballinrobe), Cormac Ó Muirithe (Belmullet), John William Burke (Ballyhaunis) and Michael Joyce (Mulranny) will also carry home county hopes. Abom begins his defence from the first tee at 1.59pm on Friday alongside Robert Abernethy (Dun Laoghaire) and Conor McCarthy (Headfort). 'Obviously the end goal is to win, but there's still lots of things you can learn about tournaments, even if it doesn't go well,' said Abom. 'This is the big one to defend the title, so I'm really looking forward to it.'
Belfast Telegraph
6 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Two Rorys and how the West was won
This weekend, Westport plays host to the Irish Amateur Close Championship where 20 years ago, Banbridge golfer Rory Leonard would watch a young Rory McIlroy light up the fairways on his way to the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship. McIlroy had already won the Ulster Boys', Irish Boys' and Irish Youth's championships and the West of Ireland — but the title he would win in Westport was even more special. The 16-year-old defeated Eddie McCormack in the final after wins over Connor Doran and Sean McTernan. Indeed, McTernan was another one of the talking points that week, following a record-breaking 61. McIlroy only had one hole to spare over the Co Sligo golfer in the quarter-finals, the same narrow margin when McTernan defeated Banbridge hopeful, Rory Leonard, in the third round. 'Sean had shot a course record in the qualifying and he beat me on the last. Rory beat him in the quarter-finals by one hole after that,' said Leonard. Leonard is a former Ulster teammate of McIlroy, who now works as championships manager with Golf Ireland. And a few months previous to Westport, Leonard was in Co Sligo to witness the first part of a historic double as McIlroy got his hands on the West of Ireland. The young protege, then just 15, completed the first leg before he finally matched Garth McGimpsey's efforts from 1988 by adding the Amateur Close Championship. Unfortunately for Leonard, he was on the receiving end when the duo faced off in the semi-finals at Rosses' Point that year — only losing to McIlroy by one hole in a thriller. 'I played unbelievably well. I made seven birdies and he birdied the last to beat me. 'Even then everybody knew how good he was and where he was heading. It was unbelievable to see him playing at that level,' said Leonard. 'I had got to the semi-final and was playing really well. I played great and he beat me. 'I played him again in the West a couple of years later and I knew I wasn't playing as well, I needed to keep the score down. He beat me comfortably that time. Tee to green, the way he hit the ball, it just made a different sound, it was so impressive. The crowds that came to see him play. 'Last year they had the Centenary event for the West and lots of people were talking about what they remember, seeing him and how he played. 'You got to the top of the hill in Sligo, on the fifth, where you look at the whole course below and immediately you could pick out where Rory was because you could spot the crowd. It was special. I remember playing him in that semi-final and thinking this is crazy, the amount of people that are there to see him. 'How good he was, there was so much hype and coverage, even back then. 'That was the start, he won the West and went on to win the Close in Westport a few weeks later. Then he won them both again the following year. It was crazy how good he was and the profile he had.' Leonard had his own prolific career at amateur level, 2010 was the highlight when he took home the Munster Stroke Play and West of Ireland crowns. That win in the final at Rosses' Point also came at the expense of McCormack, who later remarked that he was sick of losing to Rorys in championship finals. Leonard also reached the decider at the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship in 2010, losing out to Castle's Dara Lernihan. His life is steeped in golf and he has the sport to thank for some of his closest friendships, having played for the first time alongside Barry Tumilty, and his two brothers Lee and Mark. The former would go on to be Leonard's best man at his wedding. Leonard hails from Banbridge, where he grew up on the opposite side of the town to the golf course. His grandfather, Philip Leonard, was a keen golfer and introduced him to the game. He joined Banbridge when he was nine and continued to play alongside the Tumilty brothers for years to come. Lee and Mark Tumilty went on to play international hockey, while Barry was a semi-professional footballer in the Irish League. Mark is now head coach of the Irish men's hockey team. However, golf was always the main sport for Leonard, and he would come up against Gerry McIlroy, father of Rory. Between the Senior Cup and Belfast & District Cup, Banbridge and Holywood were regularly in opposition. And there was one standout memory from the final of the Belfast & District Cup in 2001. 'We went on to win and it was our club's first time doing that. I was the captain of the team and Rory was about 10 or 11, he caddied for Gerry in the final,' said Leonard. 'I beat Gerry on the 17th and nothing would do Rory only that he got to hit a shot down the last himself. Even then people were talking about him, he had won Underage World Championships. 'He hit a shot down the 18th with his dad's driver, that was the same size as him, and I was just going this is unbelievable, how good this guy is and how many people are talking about him.' McIlroy would join Leonard on the Ulster men's teams from 2004, there the future Masters champion formed a wonderful partnership with Jonathan Caldwell that would extend to a Walker Cup team. And while he watched his progression through the ranks and onto the Tour, Leonard also got the opportunity to play with and against some of the other stars of Irish professional golf. During the same tournament in Westport in 2005, Leonard defeated a young Seamus Power on the final hole in the first round. 'I didn't know Seamus then and he was very young, probably still a boy in terms of golf, and beating him, it was more looking back now and saying once upon a time I beat this guy who has won a few Tour events,' said Leonard. 'But back then he was really good, one of the up and coming young players.' For Leonard, despite all of his success, the elusive national championship still gnaws away, but he turns 50 next year and will then set his sights on the seniors game and potentially taking home that silverware at last. 'The Close is our national championship, the Irish Amateur Open is a big event too but obviously it includes overseas players too,' said Leonard. 'The winner this week (in the Irish Amateur Close Championship) is the Irish Champion. In all of the golf that I have played from when I was a kid until now, I won a championship or an event in every province but I never won a national event. 'I lost in that final, I was runner-up in the Irish Boys', I won the Irish Universities but that is slightly different. 'I haven't played any this year because of different things with family and work, this year could be the first year I haven't played in either a GUI or Golf Ireland Championship since I was about 17. 'It's just the way it fits in. But I have a big birthday next year and then that's the chance to play a bit more competitive golf.'.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Rory Leonard remembers Rory McIlroy in Westport
Rory McIlroy had already won the Ulster Boys', Irish Boys' and Irish Youth's Championships and the West of Ireland but this title in Westport was even more special. It's 20 years since the future World No 1 lit up the fairways in Mayo to claim the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship. The 16-year-old defeated Eddie McCormack in the final after wins over Connor Doran and Sean McTernan. Indeed, McTernan was another one of the talking points that week, following a record breaking 61. McIlroy only had one hole to spare over the Co Sligo golfer in the quarter-finals, the same narrow margin when McTernan defeated Banbridge hopeful, Rory Leonard, in the third round. 'Sean had shot a course record in the qualifying and he beat me on the last. Rory beat him in the quarter-finals by one hole after that,' said Leonard. Leonard is a former Ulster teammate of McIlroy, who now works as Championships Manager with Golf Ireland. And a few months previous to Westport, Leonard was in Co Sligo to witness the first part of an historic double. McIlroy, who was then just 15, completed the first leg before he finally matched Garth McGimpsey's efforts from 1988. Unfortunately for Leonard, he was on the receiving end when the duo faced off in the semi-finals at Rosses' Point that year – only losing to McIlroy by one hole in a thriller. 'I played unbelievably well. I made seven birdies and he birdied the last to beat me. Even then everybody knew how good he was and where he was heading. It was unbelievable to see him playing at that level,' said Leonard. 'I had got to the semi-final and was playing really well. I played great and he beat me. I played him again in the West a couple of years later and I knew I wasn't playing as well, I needed to keep the score down. He beat me comfortably that time. 'Tee to green, the way he hit the ball, it just made a different sound, it was so impressive. The crowds that came to see him play. Last year they had the Centenary event for the West and lots of people were talking about what they remember, seeing him and how he played. 'You got to the top of the hill in Sligo, on the fifth, where you look at the whole course below and immediately you could pick out where Rory was because you could spot the crowd. It was special. 'I remember playing him in that semi-final and thinking this is crazy, the amount of people that are there to see him. How good he was, there was so much hype and coverage, even back then. 'That was the start, he won the West and went on to win the Close in Westport a few weeks later. Then he won them both again the following year. It was crazy how good he was and the profile he had.' Leonard had his own prolific career at amateur level, 2010 was the highlight when he took home the Munster Stroke Play and West of Ireland crowns. That win in the final at Rosses' Point also came at the expense of McCormack, who later remarked that he was sick of losing to Rory's in championship finals. Leonard also reached the decider at the AIG Irish Men's Amateur Close Championship in 2010, losing out to Castle's Dara Lernihan. His life is steeped in golf and he has the sport to thank for some of his closest friendships, having played for the first time alongside Barry Tumilty, and his two brothers Lee and Mark. The former would go on to be Leonard's best man at his wedding. Leonard hails from Banbridge, where he grew up on the opposite side of the town to the golf course. His grandfather, Philip Leonard, was a keen golfer and introduced him to the game. He joined Banbridge when he was nine and continued to play alongside the Tumilty brothers for years to come. Lee and Mark Tumilty went on to play international hockey, while Barry was a semi-professional footballer in the Irish League. Mark is now head coach of the Irish Men's Hockey team. However, golf was always the main sport for Leonard, and he would come up against Gerry McIlroy, father of Rory. Between the Senior Cup and Belfast & District Cup, Banbridge and Holywood were regularly in opposition. And there was one standout memory from the final of the Belfast & District Cup in 2001. Rory Leonard (back left) and Rory McIlroy (front right) representing Ulster. 'We went on to win and it was our club's first time doing that. I was the captain of the team and Rory was about ten or 11, he caddied for Gerry in the final,' said Leonard. 'I beat Gerry on the 17th and nothing would do Rory only that he got to hit a shot down the last himself. Even then people were talking about him, he had won Underage World Championships. 'He hit a shot down the 18th with his Dad's driver, that was the same size as him, and I was just going that this is unbelievable, how good this guy is and how many people are talking about him.' McIlroy would join Leonard on the Ulster men's teams from 2004, there the future Masters champion formed a wonderful partnership with Jonathan Caldwell, that would extend to a Walker Cup team. And while he watched his progression through the ranks and onto the Tour, Leonard also got the opportunity to play with and against some of the other stars of Irish professional golf. During the same tournament in Westport in 2005, Leonard defeated a young Seamus Power on the final hole in the first round. Rory Leonard with his wife Mairead and two sons Daniel and Matthew at The Open in Royal Portrush. 'I didn't know Seamus then and he was very young, probably still a boy in terms of golf, and beating him, it was more looking back now and saying once upon a time I beat this guy who has won a few Tour events,' said Leonard. 'But back then he was really good, one of the up and coming young players.' For Leonard, despite all of his success, the elusive national championship still gnaws away, but he turns 50 next year and will then set his sights on the seniors game and potentially taking home that silverware at last. 'The Close is our national championship, the Irish amateur open is a big event too but obviously it includes overseas players too,' said Leonard. 'The winner this week is the Irish Champion. In all of the golf that I have played from when I was a kid until now, I won a championship or an event in every province but I never won a national event. 'I lost in that final, I was runner-up in the Irish Boys', I won the Irish Universities but that is slightly different. 'I haven't played any this year because of different things with family and work, this year could be the first year I haven't played in either a GUI or Golf Ireland Championship since I was about 17. 'It's just the way it fits in. But I have a big birthday next year and then that's the chance to play a bit more competitive golf.'
