Murphy relieved to grab the win at Mullingar Scratch

21-year old Kinsale student John Murphy carded a final round 70 to finish on seven-under par, just ahead of the overnight leader Matthew McClean of Malone.

With three birdies in his closing five holes and despite a bogey on the penultimate green, Murphy held it together to make a two putt par on the last to seal the win.

“Things were switching all day” a relieved Murphy said afterwards.

“There were times when Ger (Dunne) was three ahead, and Matt (McClean) was three ahead. I was never ahead. I just stayed patient and waited for a few putts to drop and made three birdies in a row on the back nine there to get ahead for the first time and just held on to it coming in.”

“There are a lot of great names on that trophy, and it’s nice to get my name on there.  I am relieved more than anything. I was very close to not coming here and getting a bit sick of golf, so it was nice to come and prove a point this week.

“It’s been a tough season, and while I kept plugging away, things weren’t happening for me. I am heading back to Louisville next Saturday so I said I’d give it one more crack instead of just throwing in the towel on the summer. I am very relieved with this one.”

Robert Brazill sealed his place at the top of the Bridgestone Order of Merit with an 11th place finish, finishing just ahead of Ronan Mullarney in second and Colm Campbell in third.

All three earn automatic selection for Ireland at the Home Internationals next month at Lahinch.

Campbell, who only sealed his fate on the back nine of his final round in Mullingar, was thrilled.

“It was one of the goals at the start of the year to finish in the top three of the order of merit. I’m delighted to get the job done today because I was kind of behind Matt (McClean) going into the final round so it was nice to clip in a nice round and get the job done.”

Sponsored by Sherry Fitzgerald Davitt & Davitt, the Mullingar Scratch Trophy was run for the first time this year in association with GUI Leinster Golf and was the final event in the Bridgestone Order of Merit.