The Irish Golf Club Gazette: Sports

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4/15/2014

Kearney Shares EuroPro Lead

PGAEuroproTour

Niall Kearney share a one-stroke lead after shooting four-under-par 68s on the opening day of the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour season on The Belfry’s Brabazon Course on Tuesday.

He joins Kris Nicol as lead The Matchroom Championship ehaed of six golfers who signed for opening-rounds of 69, three under. Among those tied for third are 1991 Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst and 2013 EuroPro Tour event winners Alex Belt and Marcus Armitage.

Kearney was the first of the leaders to complete his opening round. Teeing off on the tenth he opened his account for the week with a birdie and moved to two under when he made three at the 16th. Coming in he made three further birdies, but dropped a shot on the ninth.

“I drove it well today and got a nice feel of the greens,” said Kearney “I got it in close a few times and managed to hole the putts.

“The course is fantastic, it is a great test of golf. It is fair and tough around the greens. I hit a lot of greens and made it very easy for myself. If you are trying to get to the greens from the rough it is tough.”

Kearney’s co-leader Nicol was in one of the last groups out on day one. He made an impressive six birdies, but was left to rue fives on the par four fourth and 18th holes.

The tournament is a 54-hole strokeplay competition, featuring 156 of Europe’s best young golfers. Spectator entry is free of charge throughout, and Thursday’s final round will be filmed for a two-hour highlights package to be broadcast on Sky Sports HD on April 29th, with several repeats in the following days.

4/13/2014

McIlroy Signs off with 69

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Rory McIlroy was on course for his best finish at the Masters Tournament after a final round of 69 left him level par for the week.

The two-time Major Champion saved his best till last, picking up six birdies on the final day, to put himself in position for a first top ten at the Masters, beating his previous best of tied 15th in 2011.

Two sixes on the par fives on the back nine today though put an end to a higher finish and it was the long holes throughout the week which have ultimately proved costly.

“I played the par 5s in even par this week, which you just can't do out here,” he said. “I'm even par for the tournament and even par for the par 5s. So you're looking to play the par 5s somewhere around ten to 12 under par. And obviously if I had of done that it would have been a different story.

“It's been a frustrating week, because I felt like from tee to green I played as good as the leaders. I don't think I've ever played as good tee to green around this course as I have this week. Above par is very comfortable, I just need to take some more chances that I've given myself on the greens.”

7/15/2013

Selfridge Wins Cathedral Eye

Chris Selfridge won the Cathedral Eye Clinic North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush in Saturday’s final defeating Gary Hurley by 2 and 1.

“I was sick on the days leading up to the championship and was on the point of withdrawing but then decided to give it a go. I really wanted to play in the event and my coach, Johnny Foster, wanted me to play, even if I was sick.

“Johnny told me that he had a real good feeling that I could do well at the North this year,” revealed Selfridge.

Foster’s feeling proved spot on, as Selfridge eased through the matchplay field after qualifying on the cut-off mark.

“I did feel a bit under pressure as Gary (Hurley) got off to a good start but I had faith in my own ability so I just told myself to stay patient. I knew I had it in me to win,” stressed the Moyola Park player.

Maynooth undergraduate Hurley (20) stormed off by winning the first hole when Selfridge missed from five feet, but the new champion’s touch on the greens was back in evidence when he rolled in a 20-footer at the fourth hole for the first of his five birdies to level the match.

The next four holes were halved before Selfridge got his nose in front at the ninth to turn one up. He was three feet from the pin and when Hurley missed par from four feet he conceded his opponent’s putt.

It was back to square at 10, however, when Hurley rolled a 60-foot downhill putt to three feet and Selfridge, after sending his 20-footer four feet past, missed the return. At the 12th hole, Selfridge slotted in a birdie three from 25 feet and Hurley missed from five.

Toledo-based Selfridge went two up at 15 as Hurley was in rough twice and also in bunker trouble.

The match ended two holes later. Hurley was pin high right with a fairway wood as Selfridge was 80 yards short with a six Iron but steered his third approach to six inches. Hurley needed to hole his chip for eagle to keep the match alive but he missed on the right and the Moyola man was champion.

“I made five birdies and two bogeys which wasn’t bad for a final and I was well under par all week. I’m delighted,” enthused the new champion.