IRISH AMATEUR CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIPHEADFORT TEENAGER Rory McNamara found it hard to hide a smile as he recorded a shock 2 and 1 victory over Shane Lowry in the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at Belvoir Park yesterday.
McNamara, a boys' international, is making his debut in the competition and, after a morning first round one-hole win over evergreen Philip Purdy from Shandon Park, delivered the killer punch to the tournament holder and favourite, Lowry
The 19-year-old scratch player won the third in par and the fifth in birdie four where he pitched stone dead. After losing six and nine to birdies but winning the seventh in par, McNamara turned one hole ahead before going three up with par-birdie at 10 and the short 11th where he rolled in a 10-footer after a five-iron off the tee.
Lowry hit back strongly to win both the 12th and 16th where McNamara was in bunker trouble, in regulation but was short at 17 and also three-putted leaving young McNamara a surprise winner.
"That's the biggest win of my career," smiled McNamara who took a year out after completing his Leaving Cert last year to concentrate on his golf. "It's my first time in the Close and I couldn't have asked for a better start. I will play in all the tournaments this year."
West Waterford's Séamus Power also reached the last 16. Before lunch Power saw off the challenge of local member Chris Carvill by 5 and 4 and then sent Darren Crowe packing by 2 and 1 in the afternoon. This morning he will play big Ulsterman Andrew McCormick from Scrabo.
"I'm delighted," said Power. "That was the third time I played Darren and the first time I have beaten him. My putting was very good and when they go in it really cheers you up."
Power birdied three of the first five holes and also won the second in par to be four up after five. He lost the sixth, but won seven and lost nine to turn three up.
The 6ft 2in second-year undergraduate at East Tennessee State University took the 11th and 13th holes in par-birdie, rolling home a 30-footer at 13, but Crowe hauled back his Munster opponent with winning pars at 14 and 15. However, Power held on for victory.
The first shock of the day was delivered by Knock player Michael Welsh who dumped out leading qualifier Alex McCloy (Ballymena) by one hole, but Welsh was then sent home in the afternoon by Stephen Crowe who got through by 3 and 2.
Out of the competition in the morning went Walker Cup player Johnny Caldwell who lost by one hole to Athlone's Ciarán O'Connor who then reached the last 16 with a 5 and 3 win over Gerard Lawlor (Citywest). However, the player to steal the show was Gareth McGee (16), son of Malone professional Michael. After easily qualifying, McGee beat Ross Oliver 4 and 3 and then Paul O'Kane by 4 and 3.
