Double Offaly interest in British Open as tee times released
Tullamore man to make big championship debut
OFFALY will have a great double interest in the final golfing major of the season, the British Open this week.
As usual Shane Lowry will be among those dreaming of glory, attempting to turn his season around with a second win in this event. Lowry will be among the players with the potential to be given the Claret Jug on Sunday evening while the presence of another Offaly man in the field is a great bonus to local golfing fans.
Tullamore man Stuart Grehan will compete as an amateur. He earned his ticket to Royal Birkdale after a sensational triumph in the British Amateur Open a few weeks ago. That win has transformed the career of Grehan who is now living in Louth and plays out of County Louth Golf Club in Baltray.
He returned to amateur ranks last year after trying to make it in the professional game for a few years. A member of a well known local family, he is the son of John and Helen Grehan and younger brother Matthew is one of the best golfers in Tullamore Golf Club.
He has been in fantastic form since returning to amateur ranks and his British Open Amateur win also earns him a place in the US Open and US Masters next year – the only stipulation is that he must remain in amateur ranks.
This week's championship will be a huge occasion for Grehan and his family. He tees off on Thursday with Cameron Smith and Keith Mitchell at 12.14pm. Lowry is out later at 2.53pm with Brooks Koepka.