DAVID WINS ALL WELSH SOUTH FINAL AT LAHINCH
Pyle & Kenfig golfer Sean David celebrates his win. (Photo: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho)
Pyle & Kenfig golfer Sean David was crowned the Pierse Motor Group South of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Champion after a thrilling victory at Lahinch Golf Club.
In the first ever all-Welsh decider at Lahinch, David got the better of his good friend Tomi Bowen from Welshpool to seal the narrow one-hole win at the famous County Clare venue.
The 23-year-old battled hard to withstand the early pressure, and despite going three down through 12, he launched a late surge to seal the win.
“It’s a bit unbelievable to be honest,” said David. “I never expected that at the start of the week. The calibre of the field, so many great players, and I’ve just been playing my own stuff and plotting my way around the golf course.
“I’ve been so calm in everything I’ve been doing. I’ve been committed to every shot and really in control. I’ve been really gritty all week, getting up and downs and holing putts.”
David had got the better of German Ben Gratzl in the semi-finals while the lone Irish golfer left in the championship finally came unstuck. Fota Island’s David Howard reached the semis, but he lost on the 17th when his chip finished just short and Bowen two-putted for a 2&1 win.
“It’s been unbelievable, I have had some support from everyone it’s unbelievable,” said Howard. “The support and the reception on the first tee at The Open. Even today the crowd was unbelievable and I’m sure most of them were for me, so I can’t thank them enough.”
With GB&I Walker Cup Captain Dean Robertson watching on, David had to dig deep, and his comeback began on the 13th. He had all of the momentum coming down the home stretch and staked his claim for a spot on the team who will face the US team at the same venue in September.
“It’s massive, I’ve been knocking on the door for a while now,” said David. “I’ve been playing some great stuff, I just knew at some point it would all work out.”
