It may be a step down from championship golf but victory in the Captain's (Willie O'Driscoll) Prize at Waterville was much cherished by Mark Murphy.

The runner-up in this year's West of Ireland and East of Ireland events caddied for Payne Stewart when he made what proved to be his last visit to Waterville in 1999. Stewart was due to be the club's honorary captain for the Millennium and Murphy had vowed to win his prize.

That wasn't possible but the big hitting youngster did Stewart proud with a winning 39 points off scratch handicap. Murphy raced to five under after 11 despite the breezy conditions but dropped two shots at the last where his tee shot found the beach. There was extra merit in his effort, as earlier in the day he had played for the Waterville team which lost to Tralee in the Barton Shield at Ceann Sibeal. John O'Neill took second place in the Captain's Prize with 37 points off six.