Hometown favourite Sam Murphy delivered a superb win at the weekend's Connacht Stroke Play.
In a return to Portumna, the 20-years-old Murphy claimed victory after a fourth round 68.
Murphy came out on top after a punishing weekend of 72 holes in two days when he powered to victory on -18 - a week after he just missed out narrowly in the East.
And another Galway man was close behind. David Kitt of Athenry pushed on to finish second, while AIG Irish Close champion Quentin Carew (Castleknock ) was third.
Murphy, who has just finished his sophomore year of college at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, says growing up on the greens certainly helped.
“My game has been really good, ever since mid-March I have been playing really well. My confidence has been really high. Going head-to-head with the two boys last week really helped, definitely coming down the last 18 today," he says.
“I’m putting really well, everything inside 15 foot I feel like I’m going to make which is nice - definitely on the greens out here when they are rolling so good. I’ve grown up on the greens as well which definitely does help.”
With many of the leading Walker Cup contenders at the St Andrews Links, Murphy had a great chance to claim a big win at home, having returned home from the States where he has finished his sophomore year of college at Grand Canyon University in Arizona.
The man who edged him out in the play-off last week, Alex Maguire, shot 64 on the Old Course in Scotland to claim another famous win, while Murphy also continued his form from the East of Ireland, shooting rounds of 68 and 66 to take an overnight lead on -10, five shots ahead of Donnacha Cleary (Tipperary ) and Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little ).
However, it was another Galwegian Kitt who came from the chasing pack round three. and his 68 moved him to -5, but Murphy maintaining his composure delivered a solid 68 to go -14, seven shots clear of McDonnell.
It was a slower start to the front nine of his final round, but with birdies on 11, 12, 13 and 14, he surged clear and finished with a 68, ten shots clear of his closest challenger, Kitt.
It was a day he had been dreaming of since Portumna announced it was going to host the Connacht Stroke Play.
It’s one I’ve targeted. I’m just delighted to be over the line and get it done,” says Murphy.
“We have a few club competitions now, Barton Shield and Senior Cup maybe two weeks after that, and then straight into the South. Looking forward to a few weeks off to give the body a bit of rest and let this sink in a little bit as well.”
