James Fox clinches North of Ireland Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush

September 22, 2023 | by Amit Pandey of AmateurGolf.com

James Fox (Golfer Life Photo)

After bogeying No. 18, Fox won in a three-hole playoff in harsh conditions and battled the harsh conditions.

James Fox, hailing from Portmarnock, clinched the North of Ireland championship title after a thrilling countback in the diminishing twilight at Royal Portrush, a renowned venue for the Open Championship, having hosted the event in both 1951 and 2019 in Northern Ireland.

Fox and Robert Moran both finished at 4-under to force the playoff, with Fox posting rounds of 66-72-76-77 and Moran posting rounds of 65-74-76-76. The final day witnessed competitors battling for the title amidst gusty winds at 31 mph.

After a bogey on No. 18, a playoff was needed between Fox and Moran.

Despite both players navigating three extra playoff holes without a decisive outcome, they were informed beforehand that a card countback would be employed if the light faded. With the score still level after the extra holes, Fox was the winner.

In anticipation of heavy rain during the final round, the organizers decided to reduce the course length by 300 yards, prompting competitors to tee off from the white tees. Colm Campbell from Warrenpoint had an early three-shot lead in the final round, but that advantage gradually diminished, and Fox briefly joined him atop the leaderboard at 1-over.

While other contenders made their bids and faded away, it was Fox who managed to maintain his lead well into the back nine.

This was Fox's first championship.

Hugh Foley, the defending champion, shot 8-over to miss the 36-hole cut by three- strokes. The tournament saw participation from 123 players, of which 45 made the cut.

Results: North of Ireland Open Amateur

Place	Player	Location	Pts	Scores
1	James Fox	, Ireland	400	66-72-76-77=291
2	Robert Moran	, Ireland	300	65-74-76-76=291
T3	Eoin Murphy	, Ireland	200	71-71-81-71=294
T3	Max Berrisford	, England	200	70-71-76-77=294
T3	Graham Donohoe	, Ireland	200	66-76-79-73=294