West of Ireland Open: Jonathan Yates Lifts Trophy

COUNTY SLIGO, IRELAND (March 29, 2016)--On the strength of a 2&1 victory Jonathan Yates has claimed the West of Ireland trophy. On a windy, cold and sometimes rainy day at The County Sligo Golf Club the 22-year-old was able to handle everything that the elements and Daniel Holland threw his way. “I felt I had a lot of momentum with me the whole way,” said Yates speaking to Golfnet following the round. Yates did lose the first hole but he was able to take the lead by the time the match had reached the sixth tee. Despite the tough conditions Yates struck the ball beautifully all day long. The eventual champion created some breathing room with a nine-foot birdie on the 12th to increase his lead to two. Holland was able to draw within a hole after winning No. 16 but Yates was just too much as he closed out the match on the par-four 17th. Yates hit a fantastic 3-iron up the hill on his second shot that just landed on the fringe. From there Yates was able to get up and down to win the hole and the title. “It was nice to hole a putt on the last, there was something nice about going out and winning it rather than Dan doing something to lose,” said Yates. Yates reached the finals by defeating defending champion Dermot McElroy in a tight match 1 up. Holland won his semifinal match in dominate fashion 5&4 over Colm Campbell. -Golfnet contributed to this story