Offaly golfer makes history with big golf win

TULLAMORE golfer Stuart Grehan made history as he claimed the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship in Westport.

20 years on from a famous victory for Rory McIlroy at the County Mayo venue, it was Grehan who made a statement with this win in resplendent sunshine, on the back of his Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint in May – now a member of County Louth Golf Club, Grehan was a member in Tullamore before turning professional several years ago and returning to amateur ranks this year.

Peter O’Keeffe (2021) is the only other golfer to have completed that double, since a young Padraig Harrington’s sensational feat way back in 1995, just before he turned professional.

“My game, I feel like it’s really good, really strong,” said Grehan.

“I can probably be a bit too hard on myself and I’m always trying to work on that but I was getting a little bit frustrated just with the putting, but I’m absolutely delighted to be standing here as a Close champion.”

Carton House golfer Alex Kerins made the big move on Sunday, when he shot nine birdies for a scintillating 64 and the clubhouse lead at 11-under.

Grehan had posted 65 on Friday and 73 in the second round, and after a 70 earlier on Sunday, he only had one shot to spare when Kerins signed for his score.

The Tullamore native had bogeyed the Par 3 12^th but soon steadied with back-to-back pars. Grehan had birdied four and five earlier in his round and that put him in the ascendency while his playing partner struggled.

Benjamin Oberholzer (Clandeboye) had bogeys on four, six and ten and that put paid to his chances, with a birdie on 13 only meaning he was still three shots in arrears.

Grehan regained his amateur status ahead of the season and he showed all of his experience down the back nine, with a birdie on 15 sealing the win.

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“It was a little bit stressful coming in there but I felt my game all day, ball-striking wise, was very strong so just kind of backed it up then coming in and very happy now,” said Grehan.

“I had 18 as my target, 18-under, but it was a bit trickier today. I definitely hit it well enough, just my putting wasn’t the best today, but I was delighted to get over the line.

“I hit the shots I needed to hit coming down the stretch, so delighted.”