Joe Lyons carded a superb five-under 67 to complete a come from behind victory at the Spanish Seniors Amateur Open Championship. However, he was unable to take the trophy back to Galway after Ryanair refused to allow it in the cabin.
Lyons came from three shots behind to win by four on seven-under at Real Club Sevilla Golf, but neither he or his wife Vera could fit the trophy in their hand luggage and he was forced to leave it behind at the Ryanair desk where the staff said it would be “binned.”
Milltown’s Jody Fanagan was part of the chasing pack heading into the final round but it was Lyons who went on a charge, rolling in birdies on the fifth, eighth and ninth to turn in 32 before a birdie on the tenth made it three on the bounce.
Birdies at 12 and 13 saw him move to six-under for the day and although he dropped shots at the 14th and 17th he carded a crucial birdie on the par-5 16th to ensure he maintained some daylight between himself and his challengers.
The 51-year-old is the reigning Irish Seniors Close Champion and has been a serial winner throughout his amateur career, including winning the West of Ireland Amateur Championship.
Former Walker Cup player, Fanagan, carded an eagle, three birdies and six bogeys in a rollercoaster final round of 73 as he settled for fourth place on two-under with Alan Condren (74), David Mulholland (70) and Noel Crawford (73) joint 12th on two-over.
Karl Bornemann carded a final round of 71 for a four-over total and share of 22nd place while Andrew Morris was 27th on plus six.
Declan O’Neill finished in a tie for 38th on eight-over with John Reynolds 43rd on nine-over and Peter Sheehan in T49 on 11-over.
Shane Kenneally was tied 57th on 13-over.
Scoring HERE
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