Roscommon golfer Thomas Higgins won his first major title as he claimed the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship after a thrilling play-off victory.
The 23-year-old defeated Dylan Holmes (Greystones) with a par on the third extra hole, the 75th hole of an enthralling three days in Portumna.
Higgins continued his fine form after he sunk the winning putt for Ireland in the European Team Championship in Estonia last month and also helped Ireland to victory in the Men’s & Women’s Home Internationals last week.
“It’s just a brilliant way to cap off the amateur career. I’m absolutely thrilled and delighted to get it done,” said Higgins.
“Main thing is my coach just told me to go out there and enjoy it. It is my last ever amateur championship round and so I go out there and have fun and enjoy it.
“I wasn’t having too much fun after I tapped in for bogey on seven but I just stuck to it and kept going, sticking to my process, and found myself making a few birdies and a run, and that was pretty fun.
“I knew I was playing well and I was waiting for the putts to drop, so delighted that they started the drop there in the back nine.”
Harry McArdle (Warrenpoint) made the most significant move on Saturday morning, with a 67 giving him the lead on seven-under. He had opened with rounds of 73 and 69, and four birdies on his front nine, coupled with two down the home stretch, helped him to take the ascendency.
He took a two-shot lead, ahead of William O’Riordan (Greystones) and Conor McCarthy (Headfort). Overnight leader Dylan Keating (Seapoint) fell back to T5 on three-under alongside his playing partner Holmes.
McArdle made an emphatic start to his final round with eight pars in a row before he birdied nine and eleven, and while he stumbled on the 13, Higgins put on his run. He ended his front nine with back-to-back birdies and three more followed between 12 and 15.
Higgins had an eagle opportunity on 17 but had to settle for a birdie and his bogey on the last looked costly. However, McArdle couldn’t take advantage and finished with a bogey. And there was further drama in behind as Holmes and Keating battled back into contention.
A sensational round, which included seven birdies, had Keating tied for the lead with Higgins. Three birdies on the back nine meant Holmes was also in the lead and while he suffered a bogey on 16, he bounced back with a brilliant birdie on the Par 5 17th.
Holmes had his chance on 18 the first time around but he became the latest contender to bogey, and it resulted in a play-off with Higgins as they both finished on seven-under.
They played the 18th twice over and when neither player could seal the win, they had to return to the tricky Par 5. Higgins’ tee shot ended up behind a tree down the right side but he recovered well and it resulted in a par being enough to secure a precious win.
“It was unreal to have everyone here, most of my family are here, so it was unreal to have them see me win and have them here to celebrate as well,” said Higgins.
“It was an amazing experience.
FROM THE GOLF IRELAND WEBSITE
