Cormac Sharvin closes by 1-shot over his countryman Gavin Moynihan at Brabazon Trophy
NOTTINGHAM, England — Irish eyes are smiling after Cormac Sharvin won the Brabazon Trophy, supported by Your Golf Travel, and his fellow countrymen also claimed second place and a share of third.
Sharvin finished on seven-under par at Notts Golf Club, a stroke ahead of Gavin Moynihan, who closed with six-under par 66, and three ahead of Jack Hume, Lancashire’s Paul Kinnear and American Charlie Danielson.
Sharvin has been knocking on the door of a big win after a string of high finishes and he said: “It means the world to get over the line. I have given myself so many chances this year and it’s great to get it done.”
It undoubtedly strengthens his claim for a place in the GB&I Walker Cup team for this September’s match and he remarked: “It puts my name in the equation a bit more.”
Sharvin, 22, had one big slice of luck as he pinned down the biggest win of his career. He needed a par four on the last to clinch the title and his seven-iron second shot sailed over the green, hit the clubhouse wall and rebounded round a sponsor’s board before finishing close to the green.
From there he chipped up to about a foot and holed out for the win. “You need to get a bit of luck,” he laughed afterwards.
He scored two-under 70 today and described it as “a bit of a grind”. The large crowd of spectators would have described it as an amazing display of short game skills as he got up and down from some challenging situations on the home stretch.
“The back nine is tricky and I holed a lot of good putts under pressure,” added Sharvin, who arrived at Hollinwell with a new putter and new putting technique, going from cack-handed to conventional, after being dissatisfied with his performance at the Amateur Championship.
The Irish contingent clearly came out in determined mood today and the leaderboard was soon reflecting their charge. Gavin Moynihan made rapid strides, reaching the turn in four-under 32, helped by three birdies and an eagle, before playing the back nine in 34.
Despite his finish he never expected to win. “I was 20th at the start and I was just trying to finish in the top 10.
“Obviously I would have liked to have been in a play-off, but I have no regrets. I’m delighted for Cormac, he has been knocking on the door for ages and he was due a win. I couldn’t be more happy for him.”
Jack Hume (Naas, Ireland) shot a final round 69 to move into a share of third place on four-under, while others Irish players were also pushing hard. In total five of them finished 11th or better. “It’s a great day for the Irish, I’m proud of everyone,” said Sharvin.
The leading Englishman was Paul Kinnear (Formby) who also signed off with 69, tying third and underlining his return from injury. “I’m made up, it’s a massive confidence boost. I’ve got a good result and that will push me on to the end of the year,” he said.
Yorkshire’s Jonathan Thomson (Lindrick) was a shot behind in sixth place and won the George Henriques Salver, awarded to the leading GB&I player aged under 20. He played steadily today for a one-over 73 and, after playing in the final group, said: “It’s the first time I’ve been in this position and I’m really pleased with the way I played under pressure.”
Double European champion Ashley Chesters (Hawkstone Park) and Ben Taylor (Walton Heath) shared seventh place. Taylor led for the first two rounds and was only a shot off the pace at the start of play today. He set off well and at one stage had caught Sharvin, but two double bogeys on the back nine derailed his challenge.
The Philip Scrutton Jug for the player with the best aggregate score over the Brabazon and Berkshire Trophies was won by Jake Burnage (Saunton) on 573.
The Brabazon Trophy is the English Men's Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship and is open to male amateur golfers of all nationalities. The Championship is played by 72 holes of stroke play over four days and will be contested by 144 competitors, co...
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