GOLF: Red-hot O’Callaghan claims the spoils at the 2024 Dundalk Intermediate Scratch Cup
In a thrilling final flourish at Blackrock earlier this month, Fergus O’Callaghan delivered an inspirational round of golf to get his hands on the 2024 Dundalk Intermediate Scratch Cup.
The yearly event, which is sponsored by Dundalk Golf Club Captain Ultan Herr and wife Deborah, was won by Eoin Murphy in 2023, however, O’Callaghan took his turn to taste victory this time around.
While you’re unlikely to see the Dundalk Intermediate Scratch Cup listed alongside big-hitting events like the US Open, Masters or the Ryder Cup on betting sites, it remains a prestigious competition in local circles.
In a nail-biting crescendo, O’Callaghan posted a score of 76, going four over par to win the Scratch Cup by just two shots ahead of Sean Matthews, while John Paul Casey finished just three shots behind the winner in what developed into a close-run thing.
O’Callaghan’s form had been patchy in the lead-up to the tournament, however, he managed to up his game at the perfect juncture to claim silverware.
Opening his round with two pars, O’Callaghan overcame a couple of bogies and parred the fifth before landing a birdie at the par-five sixth hole. From there, he managed to retain a good level of consistency.
O’Callaghan parred the seventh and eighth before a bogey interrupted his progress at the ninth hole, though he managed to finish the first nine with a total score of 38, putting him two over par on his scorecard.
He kept things ticking over with pars at both the tenth and 12th hole, hitting those either side of a bogey on the 11th. After that. O’Callaghan delivered another crucial bridie at the par three 13th to maintain his momentum.
The 14th and 15th holes were parred before a nerve-shredding double bogey of the 16th and 17th set his knees knocking just a little. However, O’Callaghan rebounded with a par on the final 18th hole to clinch the 2024 Dundalk Intermediate Scratch Cup.
O’Callaghan matched his score of 38 on the first nine holes with an identical tally on the back end while chief rival Matthews scored 39 in each direction, with his two extra bogies proving decisive.
O’Callaghan’s namesake Paul, also had an outing to remember when he plunged a sensational hole-in-one with his seven iron from the tee at the 13th hole.
In the Minor Scratch Cup, Billy Curran came out on top when he shot an impressive 85 at Blackrock. His haul of four pars, along with his excellent birdie at the ninth, combined to earn him top billing in the secondary competition.
Curran started his back nine with two double bogeys, however, he steadied himself after that mid-round wobble and clipped three pars on the spin between the 13th and 16th holes to return to the driving seat.
Patrick Clarke pushed Curran close after a terrific final nine holes that included a birdie and six pars, eventually finishing just one shot behind the winner. Conor McClenaghan claimed third spot a further shot behind Clarke.
Curran, Clarke and McClenaghan showed real potential during their performance at the Minor Scratch Cup and who knows – perhaps that trio will feature on betting apps alongside golf’s biggest names in the future.
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