Rice keeps a cool head to master conditions

From Caddy to champion all in the space of a week. Quite a positive turn around for Limerick's Tim Rice who carded final rounds of 70 and 71 yesterday in blustery wet conditions to win the Mullingar Friends First Scratch Cup. It is his biggest amateur win on home soil.

The 22-year-old business student, now based in Toledo, Ohio earned the coveted trophy with the only four sub par rounds over the two days edging out American Chris Wisler. Wisler made a late but failed charge with a 69 final round for a total 284, two shots off Rice's final six under par total.

Last week the Limerickman caddied for Peter Martin in the final stages of the South of Ireland Championship after he was knocked out in the early rounds. Martin notably beat Wisler in the semi-finals with Rice on his bag.

"My rounds were consistent and the front nines were kind to me all weekend," said Rice, whose father Billy played in the first Scratch Cup in 1963 and has been a supporter ever since.

"I chipped and putted very well. It's definitely my best win on Irish soil. I've been here the last two years and come close. Caddying last week was a great help - an eye opener for me."

International Gary Cullen had set the pace in the morning, carding a fine 66, the best of the tournament, before slumping in the afternoon to a disappointing high 70s score. Cullen was subsequently disqualified for mistakenly signing for a four instead of five on the 17th.

Along with Rice, Cullen was four under par after 54 holes before the fractures began to appear. But going into the back nine Rice had moved to six under par overall with the struggling Cullen four shots behind, level with Portmarnock's Adrian Morrow and Wisler.

"I thought going out in the afternoon if I could shoot a 69 I'd win," said Cullen. "I birdied the first, three putted the fourth and it went downhill from there. I couldn't get it going."

Cullen dropped five shots between the final round fourth and 12th holes, a long way from his flawless morning 66 when he carded six birdies and an eagle on the par five fourth. The Beaverstown player splashed his ball straight into the hole from the greenside bunker.

Also showing admirable recovery from illness was 46 year old Morrow, who has really only returned to golf over the last two months. A 69 second round allied with three 72s may well put the Dubliner back into the international frame.

Morrow, who was in the three ball with Rice and sixth placed Michael Barrett, threatened to break par in his final round and pressurise the winner but the putts wouldn't go down.

"Adrian was due to make birdies but he didn't make any of the putts," said Rice afterwards.

Stephen Browne from Hermitage edged Morrow into fourth with a better last 54. Both players finished on 285 with Browne's final 68 giving him third place.