32 began and just eight remain at the Annesley Williams Irish PGA 9-Hole Matchplay at Sutton Golf Club as big names fell and others survived the remains of Storm Amy.
Michael McGeady will meet prolific winner Colm Moriarty in the first quarter final while there will be a meeting of the defending champion Brian McElhinney and 2023 winner Neil O’Briain.
Niall Kearney goes up against tournament debutante Colin O’Gorman while Brendan McCarroll survived a group of death with Simon Thornton, Cormac Sharvin and David Higgins to set up a last-8 clash with Michael McDermott.
McGeady came through the group stages with a 100% record as he defeated Hazel Kavanagh, Paul Eivers and Daniel Sugrue in Group 1.
The 2023 beaten finalist felt the 80km/h gusts suited him as it negated distance off the tee, putting a premium on accuracy.
“The course suits my eye, it’s not overly long. I wouldn’t be one of the longer hitters out here so it requires a good wedge game and good short game so maybe I’m doing something right! It was very tough conditions out there.”
Glasson’s Moriarty, looking for his sixth win of the season used his experience to win his three matches including edging out Sutton’s very own Patrick Devine who went out of bounds with his approach to the ninth.
“Nine hole matches are all tough games, tough game against Paddy. A great host the event was his idea, if I wasn’t playing against him I was hoping he would progress but three tough games.
“It was disappointing for Paddy, you feel for anyone when they do that. We have all been in similar positions before because he holed a great putt on the 8th and the last is such a tough hole. It was disappointing for him.”
Defending champion McElhinney wasted no time in easing through his group with wins over Jimmy Bolger, Brian McCormack and Joe Dillon while O’Briain edged out Richard O’Donovan in a playoff after both players ended group four tied on two points.
“It was a really tough day, I think everyone is just absolutely wrecked,” said Kearney. “Blowing so hard out there for every round. I was playing against three very good players and delighted to come out on top.
“I don’t think anybody hit a normal golf shot today. It was all half swings and keeping the ball low, hitting three or four clubs more than you usually would so very much survival.”
Kearney also came through a playoff with a birdie at the first extra hole to beat Nicky Grant while O’Gorman, McCarroll and McDermott all topped their groups.
McCarroll has featured in big events before without stringing it all together for the duration but he knows his game is as good as there is around and the streaky nature of matchplay might suit him.
“Yeah delighted, Simon Thornton, David Higgins, Cormac Sharvin all ex tour players so it’s really good to get through a group like that but I have to say I had a bit of luck on my side which always helps.
“I know my game when it’s on it’s as good as anybody’s.”
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