Joe Lyons will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Whirlpool Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close Championship after battling through challenging conditions to move within touching distance of an historic victory at Dun Laoghaire.
The Galway golfer, who claimed back-to-back Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close Match Play crowns in 2022 and 2023 before adding the Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open Championship last May, now has the chance to complete a unique senior treble by lifting the Whirlpool Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close Stroke Play title for the first time.
The Offaly native got his championship off to a solid start on Wednesday, carding a two-under-par round of 70 highlighted by an eagle on the Par 5 15th that left him in a tie for second overnight.
Round Two would provide a much sterner test however, as swirling winds swept across the County Dublin course. Despite the conditions, Lyons put in a dogged performance, carding 15 pars and a lone birdie on his way to a two over par 74 that earned him a two-shot advantage over Neil O’Hara (Helen’s Bay) and Gary Cullen (Malahide) heading into the final day.
A double bogey at the 8th, his 17th hole, was the only major blip on an otherwise excellent scorecard, with his 74 matching the low round of the day.
“It was a really tough test of golf today,” said Lyons.
“Played great today, just made a double bogey on my second last hole. The wind was blowing 20 to 25 but the golf course is absolutely magnificent. I’m bowled over by it. It’s a real test.”
“The golf course tests you all day long, but I played super. I’m very happy with my round for the most part. I wouldn’t have been flattered if I was three-, four-under. I missed a few good birdie chances from four or five feet.”
With 18 holes remaining, Lyons will be aiming for one more composed performance and is hoping that the positive playing style that has served him well thus far, will pay dividends come Friday afternoon.
“I’ve won the Match Play close a couple of times, I haven’t won the Stroke Play close and thankfully I put my name on the Senior Open there a couple of weeks ago,”
“You always want to win, and I want to win as much as anybody else so I’ll be doing my best tomorrow. It’s always hard to win from the front, particularly in a course like this, it’s hard to defend so just try to stay positive and stay aggressive tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes.”
In the Whirlpool Irish Senior Women’s Amateur Close Championship, reigning champion Shelly Stouffer will take a one-shot lead into Friday’s final round after producing one of the standout performances of the day.
The Qualicum Beach Memorial golfer followed her opening-round 74 with a two under par 71 to move to one-under, edging in front of fellow Canadian Judith Kyrinis after carding the only sub-par round of the day.
“Pretty happy about today,” said Stouffer.
“I hit the ball really quite well. I figured out my putting out there and after that I settled down and I played much better. It was a lot windier today, but I felt more in the zone and I felt more like myself.”
“I’ve come here, I’m trying to defend the title and it’s exciting and it’s always fun to be in contention, so whatever happens I’ll be happy and I’m excited to be here and the course is great.”
Stouffer will tee up alongside 2023 champion Tracy Eakin (Dooks) and Kyrinis in Friday’s final grouping, a prospect the defending champion is relishing.
“That should be fun,” said Stouffer.
“It’ll be great to play with Judith. I haven’t played with her for a while and it’s great to be in Ireland and play with Canadians.”
View scoring and final round tee times here
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