Galgorm Castle golfer Adam Doherty claimed the Irish U16 Boys’ Amateur Open Championship after a thrilling victory in Ballinasloe.
The 15-year-old went into the third round trailing fellow Ulster teenager and reigning champion, Eoin Burrows, by a single shot.
But he rallied and a closing 73 helped him to secure the win on -4, just ahead of Ballinasloe native Niall Conneely. The local golfer shot rounds of 70 and 71 on Wednesday to get right back into contention but fell just short.
Burrows (Belvoir Park) also finished on -3 in front of Mark Muldoon (Royal Dublin) and Luke Furlong (Wexford) a shot further behind.
Doherty was too strong and despite registering two double bogeys during his third round, he bounced back with four birdies and that helped him to his first Irish title.
July was a huge month on the golf course for Doherty, he finished fourth in the Ulster U18 Boys’ Amateur Open Championship before representing Ireland for the first time in the McGregor Trophy, and he was thrilled to take another step in the right direction.
“Just absolutely delighted, it was tough going down the stretch, managed to keep my game in good shape,” said Doherty.
“It has been the best month of my golfing career. Absolutely loved every minute of it.
“Interpros tomorrow, first round is against Connacht so I’m looking forward to that.”
Corrstown golfer Eduardo de la Macorra won the Irish U14 Boys’ Amateur Open Championship after two solid rounds of 72 over the two days.
Holywood’s Henry Campbell was in the ascendency after Round 1 when he registered a 70 but the Spaniard held his nerve on Wednesday to finish on Level Par.
Scottish golfer Fraser MacKenzie (Inverness) finished two shots in arrears on +2 alongside Sean Nolan (Dun Laoghaire). Campbell was back on +4 with Aodhán Fitzgerald (Galway) and Darragh Dwyer (Ashbourne).
De la Macorra had two birdies on his front nine and despite closing with bogeys on 16 and 17, a par on the final hole was enough to seal the win.
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