Cork golfers Morgan Cain and Peter O'Keeffe in amateur action against world's best
Morgan Cain who qualified for the Amateur Championship in Ballyliffin. Picture: Niall O'Shea
GOLFER Morgan Cain booked his place in the Amateur Championship field last week when he shot a two over par 73 on the Old Course in Ballyliffin.
The Tuscullum Pioneers student was one of over 70 golfers who were hoping to claim one of the 30 spots on offer.
Cain started slowly, he bogeyed the second hole but two birdies on the 10th and 11th got his round back on track, and although he dropped a few in the closing holes he was safely inside the cut line of +3.
Cain’s qualification doubled Cork’s participation in the most prestigious amateur tournament of the year. Douglas' Peter O'Keefe was already qualified in the field as a result of his world ranking over the past two years.
Five years ago Portmarnock and the island hosted the event with Mallow man James Sugrue winning in glorious sunshine in Dublin. Sugrue was just the second Cork man to win the Amateur. Jimmy Bruen also won it back in 1945 when the event was held in Birkdale.
The Amateur Championship has again attracted a quality field from around the world.
Golfers played 36 holes of stroke play golf over the opening two days which the top 64 qualifying for the match play which commenced yesterday. Six rounds of golf follow until the final which is a 36-hole stroke play competition taking place on Saturday
Emma O'Driscoll and Clodagh Coughlan were the top cork finishers at the Irish Women's Amateur Open which was held in Woodbrook last week. O’Driscoll and Coughlan both finished in a tie for 24th place after three rounds of golf.
Mallow’s Niamh O’Sullivan finished a few shots behind. Sisters Mairead and Aine Martin both missed the cut, it was disappointing for married who entered with high hopes having won the Woodbrook Scratch Cup earlier in the year.
Douglas will host two rounds, if the Men's Irish Senior Cup this weekend.
The hosts will take on Fota Island in the opening match while 2023 winners Lee Valley take on Monkstown. Eight matches take place on Saturday with the winners going through to the quarter-finals on Sunday.
Lahinch will have a busy few weeks ahead, the Palmer Cup takes place in three weeks, and South of Ireland holds its traditional date in the calendar at the end of July.
The Palmer Cup will see many of the best college golfers from around the world arrive in Lahinch for three days of competition where the American side will take on an international selection.
Entries for the South will close soon. A bumper field of 150 golfers will tee it up, and already there’s a strong line-up.
Holder Colm Campbell will defend his title and runner-up in 2022 and 2023 Peter O’Keeffe will also be hoping to go one better this year. 2015 winner Sean Desmond has also entered as has Morgan Cain, John Waldron, Cathal Butler and Jordan Boles.
While there was plenty of disappointment when O’Keeffe lost out last year, Cork golfers have a good record in Lahinch, and hopes will be high for another one next month.
John McInerney, captain of Lahinch Golf Club, said: "The South is highly regarded amongst the players where golf is the talk of the village throughout the week.
"Lahinch and the surrounding area is looking forward to another memorable Championship and all visitors are welcome to come along and join in the festivities.
"Lahinch Golf Club, which will host the Arnold Palmer Cup on 5/7 July 2023 and the Walker Cup in 2026, appreciates the continued support of Golf Ireland in ensuring that our leading golfers have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of previous winners such as John Burke, JB Carr, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke, and Graeme McDowell.”
After two rounds of stroke play, the top 64 advance to the matchplay. The event is again sponsored by Pierse Motors Volkswagen, this is their ninth year as title sponsor for the prestigious event.
Entries will close next week, anyone interested in entering can register through the Golf Ireland competition website.
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