Grehan wins Flogas Irish Amateur Open after playoff
Carla Reynolds, Kai, and Stuart Grehan celebrate Stuart's win in the Flogas Irish Men's Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint. Photo: Bryan Keane / Inpho.
County Louth golfer Stuart Grehan came through a titanic play-off against English opponent Lewy Hayward to claim the Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint.
It took four rounds and then three play-off holes to separate the pair with Grehan coming back from four shots in arrears at the beginning of the day to land the title for the first time.
The 32-year-old Offaly native, who now lives in nearby Termonfeckin, put in an almost perfect performance in the final round, shooting a bogey-free -6 round of 66, to take the championship to extra holes before he won it on the tenth green.
“Delighted with everything, being close to home. I walk my dog here pretty much every night in the winter. I’m absolutely delighted. The biggest event in Ireland as well so thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” said Grehan.
“It’s so cool. This is probably his (son Kai) first time he’s ever been to an event so to come away with the trophy is amazing. Obviously, he hasn’t a clue what’s going on but it’s just so cool.
“Everything coming around full circle, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be honest.”
The sizzling hot temperatures continued into Sunday and there was some blistering scoring out on course with reigning champion Matt McClean (Malone) leading the charge.
The former US Mid-Amateur winner shot a record 64 to take the lead after the opening round here but had slipped back by the end of play on Saturday. He landed eight birdies on Sunday as he registered a -13 total and the clubhouse lead.
Stuart Grehan celebrates winning the Flogas Irish Men's Amateur Open Championship. Photo: Bryan Keane / Inpho.
However, behind him Marlborough golfer Hayward was still in the ascendency. He held the overnight lead alongside another local, Gerard Dunne (County Louth), and sustained his presence at the top of the standings.
Hayward had birdies on the fifth and sixth and a crucial birdie on the 17th when he was being pressed hard by Grehan in the group in front. Grehan grabbed his fifth birdie of the day on the 16th, and when his approach landed on the 18th green, he had a real chance of posting an insurmountable lead.
Grehan’s eagle putt finished inches short, though, and that meant that a birdie would do for Hayward, but he missed his chance, and the tournament went to a play-off.
The local golfer looked to have left the door open when he went over the 18th green on the second play-off hole but Hayward missed his opportunity and Grehan made him pay when they returned to the 10th.
“I just said to myself last night, you’re always going to have sticky patches and yesterday seemed to be that day for me,” said Grehan.
“I had a good warm-up this morning and I played great golf today. It could have been even a little bit better, but I was delighted with the way I played and under pressure, hitting the shots that I did.”
