O’Loughlin keeps cool in the heat to land Walton Heath Trophy

July 25, 2019 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

Daniel O'Laughlin (center) (Walton Heath GC/Twitter photo)

Daniel O’Loughlin from Nottingham turned a seven-shot deficit after 54-holes into a three-stroke victory.

By Gordon Simpson

Daniel O’Loughlin from Nottingham turned a seven-shot deficit after 54 holes into a three-stroke victory to lift the impressive Michael Lunt Salver as the winner of the 15th edition of the Walton Heath Trophy.

The 21-year-old American collegiate player, who attends the University of Colorado, began the final round in furnace-like conditions trailing leader Jacob Davies from Rhuddlan in Wales.

However, as the mercury climbed, O’Loughlin embarked on a grueling final-round comeback. In the baking heat, the Ruddington Grange player refused to wilt, staying cool and calm before ultimately collecting the spoils with a closing round of 70 over the Old Course.

His four-round aggregate of 279, nine under par, secured victory by three shots from Frilford Heath’s Olly Huggins with Jordan Sundborg of Shanklin & Sandown in third.

As the U.K. was gripped by a heat wave which made playing conditions unpleasantly hot, O’Loughlin ground out his closing 70 to display a strong temperament on a testing day.

“I didn’t have any huge expectations going into the last round,” he admitted. “I tried not to think about anyone else. It was a case of ignoring the heat and the other golfers and just posting a number. I didn’t know it would end up being good enough to win.”

O’Loughlin’s chances of claiming the trophy seemed slim when he turned in one over par, but three consecutive birdies from the 14th, including a fine 15-footer at the 15th, paved the way for his winning total.

With mum, Caroline, lending moral support over the full 72-hole tournament, O’Loughlin did the family proud by taking a title he describes as "the biggest of my career so far.”

O’Loughlin, who aims to graduate in geography from the University of Colorado next year before deciding whether to enter the professional arena, added: “I played here in the European Amateur two years ago and finished tenth, so I had a really good feel for Walton Heath. It’s obviously been borne out this week. It’s a great venue and I love the golf courses.”

Runner-up Huggins surged through the field with a third round 65 and closed with a 73 for a six under par total of 282. In just coming up short, the 20-year-old wasn’t quite able to complete a terrific ‘double’ for his club, Frilford Heath.

Last October, Eddie Pepperell from the same club captured the British Masters on the European Tour, and for a few hours today Huggins looked as if he might land the trophy until O’Loughlin’s late charge.

Huggins laughed: “I should be attending a wedding in Chepstow right now, but it looks as if I will be late. My girlfriend won’t be too pleased!”

However, the long wait was futile as O’Loughlin finished strongly to fend off Huggins and Sundborg, who carded a final 70 for a total of 283.

Results: Walton Heath Trophy

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Daniel O'Loughlin	, England	700	69-69-71-70=279
2	Olly Huggins	, England	500	70-74-65-73=282
3	Jordan Sundborg	, England	400	70-77-66-70=283
T4	Arron Edwards-Hill	, England	400	71-76-65-72=284
T4	Daniel Bradbury	, England	400	68-69-71-76=284

View full results for Walton Heath Trophy

About the Walton Heath Trophy

O’Loughlin keeps cool in the heat to land Walton Heath Trophy

The Walton Heath Trophy each year attracts a top- class field of amateur golfers from across the world. The 72 hole stroke play event takes place over both the Old and New courses at the famed Walton Heath Golf Club in Tadworth, Surrey and consists o...