NORTH OF IRELAND:Patience is a virtue, we are told, and Rory McNamara has it in abundance as he proved in yesterday's Royal Portrush sunshine when he won his first ever championship title.
The Meath man from Headfort defeated former winner Michael Sinclair (Knock) on the home green with a 30-feet birdie putt that shot him in front for the first time in a see-saw battle. Now he waits to see if the Irish selectors take note
“My last time to play for Ireland was in the MGA Match about two years ago but since then I have been ignored. I don’t know why. If I’m not picked for the Home Internationals, I will then play in the Finnish Amateur. There will always be golf to play,” said the new 23-year-old plus-three North of Ireland champion.
Sinclair (40) turned three-up but McNamara played his way back into contention before taking the title with a birdie-birdie finish.
“I’m overwhelmed. This is my first championship victory and I have had a great season. I reached the semi-finals in the West and the last 16 in the British Amateur. In 15 matches this season I have lost only two. Patience won for me today,” enthused the winner.
In the morning semi-finals, he had also to come from behind to beat Portmarnock’s Geoff Lenehan by two holes while Sinclair demolished out-of-touch Eddie McCormack by 6 and 5.
US TOUR:Troy Matteson was the early clubhouse leader at the John Deere Classic after carding a second round 68 yesterday.
The American had gone round in a phenomenal career best-equalling 10 under par on Thursday and although he did not get close to matching that, he has a two-shot advantage over compatriot JJ Henry and England’s Gary Christian.
Matteson picked up birdies on the first two holes as well as the 10th and 14th before bogeying the par-four 15th to go back to 13 under par overall.
CHALLENGE TOUR: Colm Moriarty remained in contention at the Credit Suisse Challenge thanks to a battling one under par second round of 70, which moved him to five under, three off the lead held by Garry Houston of Wales and Finland's Janne Mommo.
“I didn’t start very well,” said the one-time Challenge Tour winner from Athlone. “I was happy to make three birdies in the last 10 or 11 holes to steady the ship a bit. It’s a good feeling to battle back.”
EUROPEAN BOYS:Ireland beat their big rivals Scotland in the European Boys' Team Championship in Sweden yesterday on a day when play had to be twice suspended due to the weather.
They got home 3-2 in a tense battle over the Lidingo course thanks to a crucial singles point at the foot of the order by Robin Dawson. They’ll meet France today with fifth place in the Championship at stake.
EUROPEAN GIRLS: Ireland have stepped up several gears during the match-play phase of the European Girls' Team Championship in Germany and will today face Belgium for ninth place – their best possible finish after failing to make the top flight.
Following their convincing Thursday triumph over Switzerland they proved too good for Finland yesterday and recorded a 3-2 success. Lisa Maguire and Jean O’Driscoll lost their singles, but Leona Maguire and Chloe Ryan pulled through to take Ireland into the second flight final.
