East of Ireland Amateur Open: Maguire defends his title in Baltray

June 5, 2023 | by AmateurGolf.com Staff

East of Ireland Amateur Open champ Alex Maguire (Photo: Thos Caffrey / Golffile)

Alex Maguire said he had to battle through mental adversity to secure a second successive East of Ireland Amateur title

Alex Maguire said he had to battle through mental adversity to secure a second successive East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship after he held on for a sensational play-off win over fellow local Caolan Rafferty and Sam Murphy in Baltray.

The 22-year-old, who was reigning champion coming into this week, kept himself alive in the competition thanks to a phenomenal putt on the 71st hole at County Louth Golf Club.

The Laytown and Bettystown clubman did it again on the last and then when Rafferty (Dundalk) and Murphy (Portumna) challenged in the play-off it was Maguire who showed all of his experience, to outlast them over the three play-off holes in front of a huge crowd in the sweltering heat.

“I've been under pressure for the whole week, and I'm delighted,” said Maguire.

“I set myself with high expectations and I felt like I was losing it out there in the back nine but held two clutch putts in the last two holes.

“I'm just glad it’s all over, it’s a relief. Last year it was more fun and enjoyment because of how I did it but this is more relief being in contention from day one.

“During lunch I was looking up at the winners and I was trying to see who won it back-to-back and all of a sudden I was like, no no, get back into the zone.

“I was getting caught up with winning and even through four holes today all I could think about was winning. It was a mental battle out there.

“It’s great and I love the support but when everyone starts saying you are favourite you start believing it which is why I went out this week to have as much fun as possible.”

The crowds were out early to follow Maguire and he was brilliant in the third round, for the second day in a row he birdied 18 and carded a 69 on his way to a two-shot lead. His playing partners Murphy and Shane McDermott (Slieve Russell) were giving chase on -7 while Harry Gillivan carded a 72 to stay on 6-under.

Two birdies in the first six holes helped the Portmarnock man mount his challenge in the final round. Murphy and McDermott both birdied the seventh and the local favorite couldn’t pull clear following a bogey on the fifth.

Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little) was the biggest mover at the right end of the standings in the afternoon, he was -4 for ten holes and two shots in arrears in fifth. Maguire birdied the eighth and he kept his nose in front although a timely move from Rafferty saw him also close in.

Murphy caught fire and with back-to-back birdies and he drew level alongside Maguire as they turned to the 12th. Both leaders double bogeyed and when McDermott sunk a long birdie putt it left three players tied on 8-under, just one shot in front of Gillivan. McDonnell had begun to slip but there were still plenty of players in contention.

A birdie on 14 ensured Rafferty made it a four-way tie at the top but Maguire missed and Murphy came up with one of his own to take solo lead on then 13th when he got to 9-under.

Rafferty made a fantastic birdie on the 17th to put him on -9. He smashed his drive down the last hole but his approach caught a bunker in front of the green. A par set him as the clubhouse leader.

An emotional hug after the victory

He was caught by Maguire and Murphy and those three got off to a solid start in the play-off as they all had close birdie putts that just missed. They headed to the second hole tied on level par. Rafferty and Maguire pulled ahead of Murphy, after both making birdies, on the 2nd. It was Maguire who eventually got ahead as he hit a super shot into three feet on the last playoff hole.

He converted his putt for birdie to beat Rafferty by one stroke and retain his title, the first player to do that in the East since Raymond Burns back in 1993.

And with two wins in the East along with his previous North success, the Florida Atlantic University student is happy with his form at the moment.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to play every single event over there (in the USA),” said Maguire.

“Playing events is what has gotten me better and improved more. You can go over there for facilities and a practice range and you can go to Carton House and have a better facility here.

“It’s more to do with experience on the course and being in contention. That’s where you find your swing faults.”

36-HOLE RECAP

Shane McDermott sunk a brilliant eagle on the last to push him into the lead after the second round of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at County Louth Golf Club.

A round of 68, which consisted of four birdies and the eagle on 18, gives the Slieve Russell golfer a one-shot lead on -8 just ahead of Sam Murphy (Portumna) heading into the final day in Baltray.

“I hit driver and had 222 metres in and hit a four iron. It was 190 metres-ish to the front of the green. I flushed my iron to 12 feet and held the putt" said McDermott after finishing off his eagle.

The hard work is paying off for the 25-year-old who heads into an unfamiliar position tomorrow, as he will tee it up in the final group, with Murphy and reigning champion Alex Maguire (Laytown & Bettystown) also in contention.

"It’s unfamiliar territory. I got to the semi-final of the West this year and hopefully learned a lot from that experience. Just bring it into tomorrow and see what we can do. It’s only halfway there, 36 to go,” said McDermott.

“Slowly but surely getting there. A lot of it mentally. Doing a lot of work with Chris Selfridge and then Gordon Smyth in Slieve Russell. Just me and him do so much work together, sometimes we could kill each other. It works out so well, he puts a lot of work into me and thankfully it is paying off. Between the two of them I owe a lot to them.”

Murphy had the low round of the day after finishing his round birdie, birdie to shoot 67 (-5). On a day where he didn't feel like he hit the ball his best, he capitalised on all the opportunities that he gave himself.

“We’re only halfway there, there is still a lot of golf to be played. The past two rounds have been just keeping yourself in it really, giving yourself a shot and I’m lucky enough to be near the top. We’ll just see how it goes tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it," said Murphy.

“Just keep doing what I’ve been doing. It’s great to have Dad on the bag, keep your mind off golf and then when you have a shot it’s all about focusing on it. Tomorrow, I'll just take it as it comes and see what happens.”

43 players finished on +1 or better and they will tee it up and play 36 holes on the final day of the East of Ireland Championship.

Results: East of Ireland Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	Alex Maguire	, Ireland	400	68-70-69-72=279
T2	Caolan Rafferty	, Ireland	300	71-69-72-67=279
T2	Sam Murphy	, Ireland	300	70-67-72-70=279
4	Shane McDermott	, Ireland	200	68-68-73-71=280
5	Harry Gillivan	, Ireland	200	67-71-72-71=281