Big breakthrough for Small in Oughterard
Patrick Small. Picture: Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie
Galway Golf Club's Patrick Small carded a two under par round of 68 to win the Oughterard Pro-Am.
The 24-year-old assistant professional made a poor start to his round with dropped shots at the second and fifth but a run of four consecutive birdies from the sixth set him on course for victory.
The Helen's Bay native went to the turn in two under 33 and came home in level par 35 with a birdie at the par five 14th offset by a bogey at the 15th.
It was Small's best finish of the season by some margin and was good enough to drop Damien Mooney (Ballyliffin GC) into second place.
Mooney went to the turn in level par 35 with two birdies and two bogeys on his card. The 46-year-old collected a third birdie at the par four 10th, immediately gave that shot back a the next but picked up another shot at the 14th to sign for a 69.
“It was nice to finally get that first win,” said Small who has been working in Galway under the watchful eye of head professional David Mortimer for the last two years.
“I have been playing a few of the pro-only events and have been struggling for consistency. I made a couple of mistakes early on today but holed a nice 20 footer down the hill for birdie at the sixth and that set me off on a good run.”
There was a log-jam for third place with Richard Creamer, John Kelly, Mark O'Sullivan, Colm Moriarty, David Mortimer, Graeme Dunlea and Cian McNamara ending the day on level par.
Oughterard GC Pro-Am
Leading scorers
1 Patrick Small 68
2 Damian Mooney 69
T3 Richard Creamer 70
T3 John Kelly 70
T3 Mark O'Sullivan 70
T3 Colm Moriarty 70
T3 David Mortimer 70
T3 Graeme Dunlea 70
T3 Cian McNamara 70
T10 David Ruddy 71
T10 Philip Walton 71
T10 Scott Wilson 71
T10 Roderick Park 71
Team scores
1 James Quinlivan 97
2 Mark O'Sullivan 94
3 John Kelly 92
4 Mark Whelan 91
T5 Frank Holly 89
T5 Patrick Small 89
