Latest news with #KilleenCastle
Irish Times
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Times
Robert Moran books Irish Open spot after finishing fourth at Killeen Castle
The grand victory may have evaded Robert Moran in the Irish Challenge at Killeen Castle in Co Meath, which was impressively won by French player Oihan Guillamoundeguy, but the fringe benefits for the Dubliner could potentially open up a pathway on his fledgling professional career. Moran finished in fourth place and, as the leading Irishman, picked up the Christy O'Connor Jnr trophy and, with it, an invitation into next month's Amgen Irish Open at The K Club. For the 20-year-old Guillamoundeguy, a breakthrough win on the Hotelplanner Tour propelled him to sixth on the Race to Mallorca standings and within touching distance of a full DP World Tour card for next season. Guillamoundeguy closed with a final round 70 for a total of 11-under-par 277 to finish three shots clear of runner-up Ronan Kleu of Denmark. READ MORE Moran's 69 for 282 for solo fourth came in spectacular fashion in a back nine run of 32 strokes. It saw him rebound from a bogey on the 10th by claiming an eagle on the 12th and then three birdies, on the 14th, 17th and 18th holes, to leapfrog Paul McBride for the leading home player honour and those additional benefits. Oihan Guillamoundeguy from France celebrates with the Irish Challenge trophy at Killeen Castle Golf Club in Dunsany. Photograph:On the 18th, Moran chipped in for the birdie which ultimately proved the difference in earning him the Irish Open exemption. 'I'm buzzing for that, grown up watching the Irish Open on TV. I was at The K Club in 2016 on the Wednesday, I got myself on to the range and was just in awe of everything so that is a really cool memory to have.' Moran added: 'I would watch the Majors [growing up] but if I was to play any other event it would be the Irish Open. Just the excitement of it all and whatever happens, happens that week. It's nice to be playing the next two Challenge Tour events as well.' McBride, playing on a sponsor's invite, closed with a 71 for 283 but his tied-fifth finish did at least earn him a place into the field for next week's Finnish Challenge. In the FedEx St Jude Championship on the PGA Tour, Shane Lowry suffered three bogeys in his last four holes for a final-round 71 for a three-over-par total of 283 which left him a distant tied-59th place. On the DP World Tour, Scotland's Grant Forrest claimed the Nexo Championship title at Trump International Aberdeen, where a final round 72 for a total of eight-under-par 280 gave him a four-strokes winning margin over Joe Dean. Conor Purcell, the only Irish player in the field, finished with a 72 for 294 in tied-42nd.
Irish Independent
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Brendan Lawlor hits fine 68 to take lead at Irish Open
Roganstown provided the ideal test and the Carton House golfer shot two birdies and an eagle on his way to a -3 total, and a seven-shot lead over Cian Arthurs (Roganstown). Arthurs shot 75 on his home course while one of his playing partners, and good friend, James McParland (Roganstown) is in third on +6. They make up the top three in the Gross Stroke Play scoring, while Fiona Gray (St Patrick's) and Cathy Fitzgerald (Killeen Castle) are tied at the top of the Women's Division. They both shot 31 points on Tuesday. Brendan Swan (Co Meath) is the leader in the Net Stroke Play, with Timmy Moloney (Co Tipperary) on top in the Net Stableford. Caolan Munnelly (Tullamore) leads the Sport Class IN, Ian St John (Tramore) and Fernando Vega de Seoane (Real Club Puerta de Hierro) top the Combined Sport Class, Tom Doherty (Killarney) leads ST1, Arthurs is in charge in ST2, and Lawlor in ST3. 'Three-under was probably the worst score I could have shot today,' said Lawlor. 'I hit the ball unbelievable. Hit 17 greens, had a lot of putts. Highlight of the round, I holed an 80-yard shot for eagle on four. I bogeyed one, birdied ten and birdied two so it was a very steady round and it could have been low, low but it's a good start to the week. 'It was a bad bogey (on the first). I missed a two-foot putt and then I hit seven iron to about 16 feet on the second, holed that and then just kept going about my round and it was good. 'Woburn was an unbelievable week for me. I'm taking a lot of stress off my golf this year, I'm still putting in the work, but I'm not putting pressure on myself to perform. I'm just going out, trying to hit it as best I can. 'It's unbelievable to play at home again in Ireland, such a great event too, sponsored by ISPS Handa and ran by Golf Ireland. 'It's an incredibly ran event and it's just going to get bigger as the years go on.'
