Brian McElhinney held off a strong fightback from Niall Kearney to win the Annesley Williams Skoda 9-Hole Matchplay in a playoff on a thrilling final day at Sutton Golf Club.
McElhinney was 2UP with three to play in the afternoon’s final but Kearney responded with a birdie on the 7th before draining a 35-footer for birdie on the 9th to stay alive and bring the match to extra holes.
The Donegal man who has plenty of links experience, hailing from North West Golf Club and a former Amateur champion held his composure going down the 10th, driving to pin high and setting up a three foot birdie chance after a good chip.
Kearney missed his birdie chance from six feet and McElhinney stepped up to finally shake off the Royal Dublin man.
“Absolutely delighted,” smiled McElhinney. “I knew it was going to be a tough match because Niall has been in great form this year. I got off to a really good start and got a couple of birdies early on and went ahead. Just tried to keep playing nice and steady making pars and birdies but Niall came back really well.
“I was delighted to go on and I was really proud mentally of how I responded to the 9th. The last hole was playing quite tough and I thought a two putt would be it but it was a great putt by Niall to bring it to a tie I did think it might not be my day but I knew I had to keep playing and I was delighted to birdie the first.”
Earlier in the day, McElhinney had beaten surprise package Daniel Sugrue before taking another scalp in two-time winner Tim Rice with a clutch par save on the 9th.
Kearney meanwhile had seen off Andrew Hickey and Brendan McGovern and had only been taken the distance by Sutton’s own Paddy Devine before he ran into McElhinney.
“There’s a great atmosphere with this event and the support and the members and the way the event is run, they all put so much into it, there is a real good feel about the event and it’s one as a player I always enjoy playing in,” added McElhinney.
“I had been playing well in bits and pieces this year and was fortunate I came in this week with some form and played well in all my matches and was able to keep it up to get over the line.”
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