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Irish Daily Star
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Irish Daily Star
'Next Rory McIlroy' becomes youngest winner of title since golf icon's historic feat
An 18-year-old schoolboy dubbed "the next Rory McIlroy" has become the youngest golfer to win the West of Ireland Championship since the Northern Irishman in 2006. McIlroy has been front and center of everything golf-related since lifting his first ever Masters title earlier this month as he finally completed a career Grand Slam , becoming just the sixth player in history to win all four majors following his nail-biting play-off victory over Justin Rose at Augusta. Just over one week later, however, and a new name is threatening to knock the 35-year-old off his perch. Teenager Dylan Holmes is in the midst of celebrating his own major milestone after claiming the Connolly Motor Group-sponsored West of Ireland Men's Amateur Open this week - a tournament McIlroy knows all too well. Read More Related Articles Rory McIlroy's mansion owned with Erica Stoll pictured, golf course next door Read More Related Articles McIlroy and Erica Stoll pictured returning to Florida after PGA Tour decision The current world No. 2 became the youngest winner of the Championship when he won it as a 16-year-old in 2006 and now Holmes has become the latest teenager to get his hands on the prize after overcoming horrific weather conditions and a spirited comeback from a battle-hardened Colm Campbell to claim victory. The Leaving Cert student from Greystones Golf Club dazzled with his golf game, defeating local favorite Barry Anderson in the semifinals before forging a commanding lead early in the final, ultimately sealing a 2&1 victory on what was also his PGA professional father Karl's 51st birthday. After outpacing Warrenpoint's seasoned competitor Campbell in an epic West of Ireland final played under some of the harshest weather conditions seen in years, the young rainsoaked golfer told the Belfast Telegraph : "That was some of the best golf I've ever played." Holmes battled through torrential rain to secure victory in his first ever men's tournament (Image: ©INPHO/Ben Brady) Despite having to play through less than ideal weather with seven holes remaining, Holmes managed to stay four under and led by four. Campbell did manage to snag a couple of wins at the 14th and 16th but it wasn't enough to stop the youngster from marking yet another sports triumph for Greystones as he nailed the title on the renowned 17th green. A relieved Holmes reflected on the nail-biting moments towards the end, admitted nerves almost got the better of him at one stage. 'That was a brilliant match. I was really nervous coming down the stretch there. I am so happy it's over,' he said. 'It's incredible. I didn't really have any expectations coming in this weekend. I'm just really happy.' To circumvent the oncoming severe weather, officials pushed up the final match's start time, but it had little impact as the heavens gave way. Showing resilience and poise beyond his years, however, Holmes powered through the punishing rain and fierce gusts that dominated the final stretch of this unforgettable showdown, cementing a piece of history in the legacy of the West. McIlroy previously claimed the West of Ireland Championship as a 16-year-old in 2006 (Image: Getty Images) Campbell conceded he experienced a dose of his own medicine from Holmes, who was not only competing in his first West but also his first men's championship. 'He probably gave me a wee bit of my own medicine,' he confessed. 'I've done that enough over the years… It wasn't meant to be today. Dylan was the right winner.' Battling through high winds and heavy rain, Campbell was 4-down with five to play after a bogey at the 13th. He managed to win the 14th in bogey, halved the 15th in six, and won the 16th with a par, but could only match Holmes' five at the 17th. Naturally, Holmes has drawn comparisons to McIlroy and when asked about them, he couldn't help but grin, showing exactly how much it means to be mentioned in the same breath as the 2025 Masters winner. "He's probably one of the greatest golfers of all time," he said. "So I guess that's a pretty cool thing."
Scottish Sun
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Irish teen, 18, joins Rory McIlroy in the record books after winning tournament he started as 150/1 outsider
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IRISH teenager Dylan Holmes has followed in Rory McIlroy's footsteps by winning a prestigious amateur tournament. Holmes, 18, became the youngest winner of the West Ireland Amateur Open Championship since McIlroy when he overcame the odds - and the weather - to win the trophy this week. 5 Dylan Holmes won the West of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Credit: Inpho 5 The 18-year-old was making his debut in any Men's Championship Credit: Inpho 5 Holmes is the youngest winner of the tournament since Rory McIlroy in 2005 and 2006 Credit: PicSell8 The youngster started the week as a 150/1 outsider to lift the trophy on his tournament debut, but wrote his name in the record books with a 2&1 victory over Colm Campbell at County Sligo. Holmes is the youngest winner of the tournament since McIlroy's back-to-back wins in 2005 and 2006 as a 16-year-old. Holmes joins a list of big names to win the West of Ireland including Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington It wasn't just Holmes' West of Ireland debut, but also his maiden outing at any Men's Championship. READ MORE IN GOLF NEW MOVE McIlroy's wife 'makes major decision about their relationship' after Masters Fighting against his opponents and the biblical weather conditions, the student came out on top despite admitting it was "one of the hardest stretches of golf I've ever played". Holmes revealed that his victory even came as a surprise to him, explaining that he didn't expect to be in and amongst it. He said: "It's incredible, I didn't really have any expectations coming into this week. 'I played a great first 13 holes, some of the best golf I have ever played, and then I don't know what happened to the weather but it was worse than the first round which was hard. 5 Holmes had to battle the conditions on the course Credit: Inpho CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'You weren't making any pars out there the last few holes. You are not able to get to any of the greens, it was ridiculous. 'I guess I'm in with a few good names now so it's nice. McIlroy is incomparable.' Footage of emotional Rory McIlroy become's internet's biggest meme Despite what was at stake for the teen, Holmes still thought watching idol McIlroy battle for the Green Jacket at the Masters last week was more nerve racking than his own battle on the Harry Colt Championship Links. He told Irish Golfer: 'Watching him in the Masters was terrifying, I guess. He's my favorite golfer. So, yeah, I guess that's kind of cool [to follow in his footsteps]. 'Watching Rory [was more stressful] – at least you have some sort of control over the situation when you're doing it yourself.'
The Irish Sun
23-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Irish teen, 18, joins Rory McIlroy in the record books after winning tournament he started as 150/1 outsider
IRISH teenager Dylan Holmes has followed in Rory McIlroy's footsteps by winning a prestigious amateur tournament. Holmes, 18, became the youngest winner of the West Ireland Amateur Open Championship since McIlroy when he overcame the odds - and the weather - to win the trophy this week. 5 Dylan Holmes won the West of Ireland Men's Amateur Open Credit: Inpho 5 The 18-year-old was making his debut in any Men's Championship Credit: Inpho 5 Holmes is the youngest winner of the tournament since Rory McIlroy in 2005 and 2006 Credit: PicSell8 The youngster started the week as a 150/1 outsider to lift the trophy on his tournament debut, but wrote his name in the record books with a 2&1 victory over Colm Campbell at County Sligo. Holmes is the youngest winner of the tournament since Holmes joins a list of big names to win the West of Ireland including Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington It wasn't just Holmes' West of Ireland debut, but also his maiden outing at any Men's Championship. READ MORE IN GOLF Fighting against his opponents and the biblical weather conditions, the student came out on top despite admitting it was "one of the hardest stretches of golf I've ever played". Holmes revealed that his victory even came as a surprise to him, explaining that he didn't expect to be in and amongst it. He said: "It's incredible, I didn't really have any expectations coming into this week. 'I played a great first 13 holes, some of the best golf I have ever played, and then I don't know what happened to the weather but it was worse than the first round which was hard. Most read in Golf 5 Holmes had to battle the conditions on the course Credit: Inpho CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 'You weren't making any pars out there the last few holes. You are not able to get to any of the greens, it was ridiculous. 'I guess I'm in with a few good names now so it's nice. McIlroy is incomparable.' Footage of emotional Rory McIlroy become's internet's biggest meme Despite what was at stake for the teen, Holmes still thought watching idol He told 'Watching Rory [was more stressful] – at least you have some sort of control over the situation when you're doing it yourself.' 5 Holmes was more nervous watching McIlroy win at the Masters than he was winning himself Credit: EPA
