By Daragh Small
Galway
golfer Joe Lyons dedicated his one-shot victory in the Irish Senior Men’s
Amateur Open Championship to his family after a special win in Castlerock.
The
two-time Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close winner, who was beaten in a play-off
in this championship three years ago, battled hard to finish on eight-under and
see off home favourite David Mulholland.
Lyons was
cruising coming to the 13th hole, but he caught a flier from his
approach and went over the green, a subsequent three-putt resulted in a
double-bogey.
Mulholland
sunk a crucial birdie on the same hole and it looked as though that could have
been the turning point. However, Lyons was inspired following his sensational
65 on Thursday, and he held his nerve down the closing stretch matching
Mulholland all the way.
“It means a
huge amount. I’ve won a lot down through the years and I’d like to dedicate
this win particularly to my mom and dad. They have health issues at the
moment,” said Lyons.
“My dad
taught me how to play the game. Mam always supported us and encouraged me to
golf and to win. The two of them have health difficulties at the moment and
it’s lovely to win it for them.
“And of
course my wife, a number of years back I went away from the game and it was my
wife, Vera, who persuaded me to go back playing golf. Those three people, I owe
a lot of my successes to them.
“Today is
really, really pleasing for me and for my family to be able to close the deal
here.”
Reigning
champion Andrew Morris (Royal Portrush) set the clubhouse target early but his closing
71 left him on one-over and out of contention.
The
Island’s Fergal Kennedy came with a run but after a couple of birdies in his
front nine, a double-bogey on the 12th put paid to his chances of
winning.
Paul
Wharton (Woodhall Spa) was one shot further in arrears on three-under with
Round 1 leader Christopher O’Connor (Corrstown) back on two-under.
That left
Lyons and Mulholland to fight it out and while Mulholland wrestled back the
momentum with his birdie on the Par 4 13th, he parred the next three
holes.
His next
birdie didn’t arrive until 17 and with Lyons doing likewise it meant that a par
was enough to seal the win for Lyons down 18.
“I started
very steady, I knew exactly what the ball was doing all day. I could easily
have been a couple more, I just lipped out with a couple of putts,” said Lyons.
“Next thing
I got a flier with my second shot over the back, had to hack out and I end up
making a double-bogey. And David, of course, rolled in a putt from 20 feet for
birdie there. He went from four behind to one in one foul swoop.
“It was a nerve-wracking
finish after that.”
