The events are coming thick and fast for the men as the championship season begins to gather pace with as many as nineteen Irish making the trip across the water for the 57th Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
Major champions Hugh Foley (North & South of Ireland) and Matthew McClean (US Mid-Amateur Championship) lead the Irish representation while Robert Moran, Connacht Strokeplay champion Robert Brazill, Mullingar Scratch Cup winner Joshua Hill and Scottish Boys winner Sean Keeling are also in the field.
Palmer Cup player and R&A Student Tour Series winner Ryan Griffin leads a stacked Maynooth University contingent which includes Eoin Murphy (Dundalk), David Kitt (Athenry), Simon Walker (Roscommon), Aaron Marshall (Lisburn), Liam Abom and Thomas Abom (both Edmondstown).
Patrick Keeling joins his brother Sean as they look to bring their blistering winning form onto an elite stage. The Keeling’s share six WAGR wins between them while Patrick picked up the Rosapenna Scratch Cup and Sean also enjoyed success on the European Pro Golf Tour.
Connacht Boys winner Jack Murphy makes his debut in the event while Brandon St John, Darragh Flynn, Laytown&Bettystown Scratch Cup winner Richard Knightly and Carton House’s Marc Boucher round off the Irish contingent.
England’s John Gough is the defending champion this week having edged Connor Graham by a shot on level-par last year. Three Irish claimed top-6 finishes last time out with Moran finishing fourth and McClean and Murphy sharing sixth.
Previous winners of the event include, Matthew Jordan, Jack Singh Brar, Alfie Plant, Marcus Kinhult and Tristan Lawrence.
The first round begins on Friday with another 18 holes to come on Saturday before the final 36 holes are played on a marathon Sunday.
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