Gavin Tiernan and Stuart Grehan found themselves in the middle of the pack at the conclusion of the prestigious Jones Cup at Ocean Forest Golf Club in Georgia, while Southern Methodist University’s William Sides came from behind to capture the first major international amateur event of the year.
After poor weather conditions on Friday, another lengthy fog delay on Saturday meant that the event scheduled for 54 holes would be contested over 36 and after respective rounds of 73 and 75, Tiernan and Grehan found themselves seven and nine shots off the lead going into the final day.
A five-over 77 saw Tiernan fall to T40, while Grehan went one better in the final round but his 76 left him a shot behind his fellow County Louth man in a share of 46th.
At the top of the leaderboard, American Grayson Wood was in pole position going into the final round but a five-over 77 saw him overtaken and ultimately finish tied for eighth.
It looked to be anybody’s tournament as the leaders neared the turn, but it was William Sides who took control on the back nine with three birdies to move him to -6 overall. Sides, with back-to-back 69s, was the only player to shoot two rounds in the 60s, and his closest challengers proved to be Frankie Harris of the University of South Carolina and 17-year-old Miles Russell from Florida.
Harris’ 68 was the low round of the day and he recorded a hole-in-one on the par-3 ninth before going on to play the final 10 holes in five-under and claim solo second at -4, two shots back.
Luke Poulter was among the quartet sharing fourth at -2, four shots behind the winner.
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