Trinity College Dublin’s Eoin Sullivan chipped in for a stunning eagle on the first playoff hole to land a dramatic victory at the R&A Student Series event in Spain.
Sitting one back of the lead entering the final day, the Carton House member carded a one-under par 70 to draw level with England’s Ben Brookes at four-under par in regulation, forcing extra holes.
Sullivan bombed his drive down the par-5 18th hole in the playoff at Infinitum Hills Lakes Course but missed the green with a short iron after Brookes applied pressure by finding the front of the green in two.
With his ball sitting on top of the bunker and left with a tricky pitch, Sullivan showed his class with a deft touch, shocking his opponent into submission and claiming a brilliant win for TCD.
As for Maynooth University, after a promising start on Thursday, the Paddy Harrington Scholars had to settle for six students amongst the top-14 on the final leaderboard.
Best of all was Athenry’s Allan Hill who closed with three birdies in an even par 70 to tie third at one-under. Lisburn’s Aaron Marshall shared fifth at one-over after a closing 74 with teammates Ryan Griffin (+2) in seventh and Order of Merit leader going into the week, David Kitt in outright eighth at plus-three.
Eoin Murphy, who started from the tenth, blitzed his front nine with a whopping six birdies to turn in 30 before coming home in 44 to share 11th at five-over alongside the sixth Maynooth member of the top-14, Simon Walker.
“It realty was a tale of two nines for our guys,” said Programme Manager at Maynooth, Barry Fennelly.
“We really got out of the blocks fast which is exactly what you want to see. We really took the course on on the front nine, particularly Eoin Murphy who was six-under for his front-nine, (the back) which is the tougher nine so that really was incredible golf.
“Aaron and Eoin were actually leading through nine holes but unfortunately it just didn’t happen on their back nine. It wasn’t to be but overall we had some really good performances. Allan is back in form which is great to see. Ryan Griffin was very, very good tee-to-green.
“Obviously Eoin and Aaron are naturally a little disappointed having had the lead but we’re going to reflect on that, learn from it and hopefully get the guys ready for the final event, so onwards and upwards to St. Andrews.”
“Well done to Eoin,” Fennelly added. “He played a beautiful pitch shot to win it. I’m delighted for him. He’s been playing steady and has supported the tour since we started so congrats to him, and a good win for Trinity.”
In the Women’s event, unfortunately it was a day to forget for Maynooth’s Kate Dwyer who carded a final round 80. Flying the flag solo for Ireland in the women’s draw, there was plenty to like through 36-holes for Dwyer who eventually shared eighth place at 15-over for the tournament, 10 shots behind Welshwoman Darcey Harry and Scot Lorna McClymont.
The pair tied at five-over in regulation with McClymont prevailing in the playoff to take the top prize.
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