Warrenpoint’s Colm Campbell edged out Walker Cup star Jack Hume to capture the Flogas Irish Amaetur Open at Royal Dublin on 8th May.
A final round 70 left Campbell on 16 under for the tournament, a record winning total at Royal Dublin, yet he had just one shot to spare. Hume, the world number 10, mounted a back-nine charge to push Campbell all the way but not even a 60-foot birdie at the last could deny the Ulsterman.
“It was a very, very hard fought victory I can tell you,” said Campbell, who was six shots clear after just five holes of the final round. Hume’s back-nine charge featured birdies at 13, 14 and 16 but Campbell sank a crucial birdie putt on 17 to restore a two-shot cushion heading down the 18th.
Hume produced a stunning birdie at the last, holing from 60 feet, but Campbell made two putts for victory.
“I knew Jack was going to come hard at me on the back nine. I stayed patient, kept trying to make good swings and picked good targets,” said 29-year-old Campbell. “It shows I’m heading in the right direction. If you can hold guys like Jack off, who’s a phenomenal player and a guy that I really respect, who knows what can happen in the near future.”
This was Campbell’s second major victory, having won the East of Ireland in 2014 when he beat Paul Dunne to the title.
“It’s good to get another win under the belt. It’s been two years nearly and you sort or always doubt yourself that will you ever get another championship because they’re so hard to come by,” said Campbell.
While there was an Irish one-two, Germany’s Max Boegel finished third on 12 under.
Massereene’s Tiarnan McLarnon ended the week in a share of 17th after a final round 76 dropped him back. Whitehead’s John-Ross Galbraith closed with 73 for a share of 25th. Knock’s Colin Fairweather posted 71 for a share of 35th. Michael Reid from Galgorm Castle was tied for 57th after a final round 77.
It was a disappointing week for Ballymena international Dermot McElroy, who failed to make the cut after rounds of 75, 77 and 72.
The Flogas Irish Amateur Open moves to Royal County Down from 2017 for two years.
