01-06-2025
Howard finishes in style to claim East of Ireland title
David Howard (Fota Island) birdied his final hole to claim the East of Ireland Men's Open Championship at Co Louth Golf Club.
The 25-year-old finished at five-under-par, one ahead of Robert Abernethy (Dun Laoghaire) to claim the strokeplay title.
Howard birdied four of his opening six holes, but then four bogeys in a row from the seventh undid all his good work. However, he was able to recover his composure to birdie 12 and 14. A bogey on 17 dropped him back into a tie with Abernethy, but a closing birdie four on the par-5 18th clinched the title.
The young Cork mechanic quit his day job last year to follow his dream of becoming a professional golfer despite having Cystic Fibrosis (CF). 'I am pursuing a career in golf at the moment which is scary and exciting at the same time,' he told the Irish Examiner. 'I started getting good three or four years ago and thought I might as well give it a go. I don't want to regret anything down the line,' he said.
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