Claridge tops qualifiers at centenary West of Ireland Championship

James Claridge (Enville, ENG) during the West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship 2023, played at County Sligo Golf Club, An Ros (Rosses Point), Co. Sligo, Ireland. 08/04/2023. Picture: David Lloyd | Golffile.

Promising English golfer James Claridge claimed the Pat Ruddy Perpetual Trophy as the leading qualifier in the Connolly’s Audi West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo.

The Enville youngster, who won the Berkhamsted Trophy just last week, shot a two-over 73 to lead the qualifiers on three-over 216 after the weather-delayed third qualifying round at Rosses Point.

Grange’s Jake Whelan shot a fantastic one-under 70 to finish in second place on five-over with Castleknock’s reigning AIG Irish Amateur Close champion Quentin Carew tied for third with Tandragee’s James Hewitt on six-over.

Reigning Bridgestone Order of Merit champion Hugh Foley from Royal Dublin shot 72 and moved up 16 spots to qualify for the matchplay on Monday.

Only the top 16 golfers were guaranteed a place in the draw that includes Patrick Keeling, Arron Edwards-Hill and 2017 West of Ireland champion Barry Anderson, the xxxx winner.

Another local, Ruairi O’Connor, crept through on nine over while there was a four-way play-off for the final two spots on 10-over with Darragh Flynn, Gary Collins, Joe Lyons and Shane McDermott battling it out late into the evening.

Eventually it was Lyons (Galway) and McDermott (Slieve Russell) who earned the remaining two places but it is Walker Cup hopeful Claridge who will take huge confidence into the matchplay.

“It’s nice to win the strokeplay but in my eyes the job is not done,” said Claridge. “Still got the matchplay to go so fresh morning tomorrow, see where we get drawn and let’s see if we can get the double.

“Won last week, try and get it done this week, two in a row and we will see what happens tomorrow.”

Final qualifying scores

Matchplay draw