Golf

McIlroy’s West of Ireland record safe after champion Hume knocked out

Jack Hume beaten by Stephen Brady at County Sligo Golf Club

Rory McIlroy won his second West of Ireland title as a 16-year-old in 2006. Photograph: Phelan M Ebenhack/AP
Rory McIlroy won his second West of Ireland title as a 16-year-old in 2006. Photograph: Phelan M Ebenhack/AP
Mon Apr 06 2015 - 21:13

There will be a new name on the cup at the West of Ireland Golf Championship in Rosses Point this year.

Reigning champion and top seed Jack Hume was beaten by Stephen Brady in the first round of matchplay action at County Sligo Golf Club on Monday.

The Sligo native, now playing out of Galway, only sneaked into the knockout stages in 64th position after Saturday’s second round of strokeplay, but claimed victory on the 17th against the Naas clubman, who was playing his first golf of the competition having been granted an exemption into the last 64.

Two more former winners were in the field, but 1987 champion Jimmy Feeney did not make Saturday’s cut, while Galway’s Joe Lyons, a winner here in 2007, fell to Jeff Hopkins (Royal Dublin) yesterday.

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McIlroy record

It means Rory McIlroy’s record of being the last player to put back-to-back ‘West’ titles still stands – which me managed as a 16-year-old in 2006.

John Ross Galbraith (Whitehead) was the other player granted an exemption into the matchplay stages, and after a slow start, he overcame Galgorm Castle’s Jordan Hood on the 18th before dispatching Hopkins a few hours later.

Kevin LeBlanc (Island) is an outside tip with many for the title, but he was given an epic battle by Mount Wolseley’s Mark Morrissey in the second round.

The pair were inseparable for 23 holes before LeBlanc’s birdie on their third time to play the first hole eventually edged him into the last 16.

Play was delayed by two hours due to fog in the morning, meaning one tie in the second round will have to be completed this morning.

Home advantage

Sean Flanagan continues to impress on his home course, and he is safely through to the last 16. The youngster was the leading qualifier from the strokeplay on Saturday, and after a closely fought contest with Tom Sloman, he defeated Gavin Fitzmaurice (Balcarrick) on the 14th to advance.

Another local favourite, Gary McDermott, has been the most impressive in the matchplay so far.

After posting successive rounds of 73 in strokeplay, the Rosses Point native – now playing out of Carton House – wrapped up his game against Dungarvan’s Alan Thomas by the 12th hole, and followed that up with a 6&5 defeat of Welshman Kyle Harman.

Last year’s beaten finalist Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan) is also bubbling along nicely, winning a last-16 tie against Portmarnock’s James Fox on the 18th.