Ian Lynch (Rosslare) winner of the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Co. Antrim on Friday 13th July 2018. Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile
Rosslare's Ian Lynch claimed the biggest win of his career when he captured the North of Ireland Amateur Open at Royal Portrush.
He overcame English challenger Kieran Babbage from The Players Club in Bristol by 2 and 1 on the Dunluce Links that will host The Open in 12 months’ time.
The Rosslare native beat leading qualifier Matthew McClean from Malone by 2 and 1 in the semi-finals as left-hander Babbage beat Ardglass Adam Mulhall on the 19th.
But it was Babbage who was forced to fight in the decider and while he battled back to all square three times on the front nine, Lynch won the 10th and 11th with pars to go two up and extended his lead to three holes at the 14th.
A bogey at the terrifying, 236-yard par-three 16th — Calamity — left him just two up with two to play and while Babbage got up and down from a greenside bunker to save par at the downhill 17th, Lynch coolly two-putted from the back of the green for a winning par and victory.
North of Ireland Championship
Ian Lynch (Rosslare) on the 3rd tee during the Semi-Final Matchplay of the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Co. Antrim on Friday 13th July 2018. Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile
North of Ireland Championship
Ian Lynch (Rosslare) winner of the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Co. Antrim on Friday 13th July 2018. Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile
North of Ireland Championship
Dr. Robert Brady (Captain Royal Portrush) and John White (Chairman GUI Ulster Branch) with Ian Lynch (Rosslare) winner of the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Co. Antrim on Friday 13th July 2018. Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile
North of Ireland Championship
Ian Lynch (Rosslare) winner of the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Co. Antrim on Friday 13th July 2018. Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile
North of Ireland Championship
Ian Lynch (Rosslare) winner of the North of Ireland Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Co. Antrim on Friday 13th July 2018. Picture: Thos Caffrey / Golffile
North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship, Royal Portrush
Semi-finals
I Lynch (Rosslare) bt M McClean (Malone) 2/1
K Babbage (The Players Club) bt A Mulhall (Ardglass) 19th.
Final
Lynch bt Babbage 2/1.
from News - Irish Golf Desk https://ift.tt/2uk70Oo
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