Echo Women in Sport Award: Golf sensation Claudia O'Donoghue showed nerves of steel

Standing on the 18th tee golfer Claudia O’Donoghue knew exactly what was at stake.

Win the hole and her team, Douglas Golf Club, would be crowned AIG All-Ireland Senior Cup champions. Having battled their way to the final over several days it all came down to the final hole, in the last game still out on the course.

The final was five singles matches and as she and her opponent from Lahinch Golf Club stepped onto the 18th tee-box it was 2-2, so both knew what was at stake.

FEARLESS

Many times over the years golf fans would have seen players in this position in the professional game and many a time they have fluffed their drive and lost out, due to nerves.

But not Claudia, she was first to tee off and hit the ball straight down the middle of the fairway to put her opponent under pressure.

In fairness she responded in style and outdrove Claudia to put the pressure back on the Douglas star.

The 18th is a par five and Claudia stepped up to hit her second shot onto the green and about 18 feet from the hole.

Pressure back on the Lahinch player, who again replied with a good shot of her own.

When they reached the green Claudia lagged her putt to about a foot or so from the hole – birdie secured.

Her opponent missed her birdie opportunity and as they say – the rest is history.

A magnificent achievement for any golfer to sink the winning putt to win an All-Ireland title for your club, especially considering the pressure she was under standing on the final tee-box.

COOL HEAD

But Claudia’s achievement is all the more remarkable as she only turned 17 recently and was up against a more experienced player. For keeping a cool head under that type of pressure Claudia is the August winner of our The Echo Women in Sport award. 

At 17 Claudia already has her handicap down to 1.3, in itself an achievement considering she is only playing golf for around five or six years. Her father, Ronan, started bringing her up to Douglas Golf Club when she was 11 or so where Claudia got involved in their junior setup.

This allowed her to develop her game in a friendly environment where she started to learn the skills. The Mount Mercy College student soon showed her talent for the game and went on to represent her club, school and Munster at events around the country.

As part of her development within golf Claudia took lessons with Stephen Hayes who helped develop her talents and turn her into the star she has already become at a young age.

Speaking about that final hole and knowing what was at stake as he stood on the final tee, Claudia said that sticking to her routine and blocking out what was at stake was crucial to ensuring she drove the ball down the middle of the fairway.

“You could tell just by looking at everyone around the 18th that it was down to my match,” said Claudia, “I suppose they wouldn't have been there if it wasn't down to me, but I tried not to think about that too much.

“I was first to tee-off so I think that took a little bit of pressure off me. But at the same time, I was like, this has to go straight. 

I was trying to breathe and just not think about too much, just go through my routine.

“My routine was really important at this point. I think it put me in my own headspace and just took it away from the crowds. I was just thinking that I was on the range, just hitting the drive like normal and it just took the pressure off.

“Thankfully it went straight down the middle it was probably one of my best drivers in 18 as I tend to slice it.”

That set Claudia up nicely for her second shot into the green and when it landed safely it was as much relief as delight for her.

“I had about 160 metres to the pin. I played that whole so many times the past few weeks and every single time I've like had around the same distance and gone long. So I said I'll go a bit short today and I think with the adrenaline as well, I was bound to whack it. So I hit a six iron and it ended up good, and about 18 feet to the pin.”

PRESSURE ON

That put a bit of pressure back on her opponent whose shot ended just off the green so she had a tough chip back.

“In fairness she chipped it well and I had to putt before she played again. Thankfully it ended up about a foot or so from the hole.

“She still had a chance for a birdie and at that stage my caddie, Dave Barry, was kind of getting me ready to hit off the first again and that we were going to an extra hole. But she missed and that was it, we had won the cup. 

It was such an amazing feeling to celebrate with all my teammates.

“Everyone played their part over the few days to ensure we won and to be celebrating with them was specia

l. I am just so thankful to all of them and my family, coach, caddie and the club for all they have done for me over the years.

“To win an All-Ireland competition is extra special and hopefully we can go on to win it many more times in the coming years."