MORRIS BATTLES TO LAND IRISH SENIOR CROWN
Royal Portrush golfer Andrew Morrish after being crowned the 2025 Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open Champion at Naas Golf Club in Co Kildare (Photo: INPHO/Ben Brady)
(Golf Ireland)
Royal Portrush golfer Andrew Morris comes from two back to claim first Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open Championship at Naas Golf Club
Morris battled back from a two-shot deficit to claim the Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open Championship on a dramatic final day at Naas Golf Club. A final round 71 proving to be enough for the Royal Portrush golfer to secure a one-shot victory.
A total of 56 golfers teed it up at the Kildare venue for last Friday’s final round, and with just four shots separating the top 10, the title was very much up for grabs.
Local hopeful Joe McWilliams (Naas) had surged into the lead with a stunning second round 67 on Thursday to see him take the overnight lead on two under. However, it was from the penultimate group that the eventual champion would emerge as Morris delivered a composed performance to take the crown.
“I’ve been nicknamed the bridesmaid for too many years after a couple of close finished but no, this is special”, said Morris. “To do it in front of that packed field as well, the best of them, and today to play with Eddie McCormack (Galway) and Jody Fanagan (Milltown) was just class.”
Morris began his morning brightly with a birdie on the fourth to settle some early nerves. However, a bogey followed on six before he dropped three more shots at 10, 11 and 14.
The championship appeared to be slipping from his grasp, but Morris rallied to produce a moment of magic as an eagle three on the Par 5 15th reignited his charge before a crucial birdie at the last sealed his first singles championship victory.
“The turning point probably was 15, had a good second shot in there and held the putt for eagle,” added Morris. “Going up the last it was pretty tight, but I fortunately chipped and putted so delighted with birdie”.
Morris came close to lifting the same title in 2024 when he had to settle for a tie for fifth, but this time around he got the job done and is delighted he can now say he is Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open Champion.
“This is huge, to win this”, said Morris. “I didn’t really expect to be winning it coming here. When you see all the class [in the field], Karl Bornemann, Joe Lyons, there’s so many of them and I’m just delighted I held on and got over the line.”
There was disappointment for McWilliams as his title challenge faded late in the round. However, one of the loudest cheers of the day was reserved for the Naas man when he claimed the silver medal and the 60-64 Age Category prize.
Fanagan was Morris’ playing partner on the final day and also had cause to celebrate as rounds of 71, 72 and 71 saw him claim the 55-59 Age Category prize. Michael Mercier (USA) took home the 65-69 prize while William Donlan (Birr) claimed the over 70 title.
View the final scores HERE