Corsby beats Lowry at 19th

to win West of Ireland Open

Walker Cup team contender Shane Lowry was beaten at the 19th hole by England's David Corsby in the final of the West of Ireland Open championship at Rosses Point.

Lytham & St Anne's member Corsey became the 87th winner of the championship beat Lowry, and Ireland international and the defending champion, with a birdie at the first extra hole.

Lowry, pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, went two up after two with a par-birdie start. The Esker Hills player remained two up despite holing a 35ft eagle putt at the third because the Englishman followed him from slightly nearer the hole.
Corsby won the next with par before levelling the match at the sixth with a birdie. Seizing the initiative he added a further birdie at the short ninth to go one-up at the turn.
Lowry got back to all-square with a birdie of his own at the 11th.
In a thrilling match it became Corsby's turn to go ahead at the 12th when Lowry lost his ball and Corsby was in for birdie. The writing looked to be on the wall for Lowry when the Englishman went two-up with yet another birdie at the 15th.
However, Lowry stuck to his task and got one back when Corsby double-bogeyed the 17th before the Irishman took the final into at least one extra hole with a birdie at the 18th.
At the 19th, Corsby hit his approach into one foot for the easiest of birdies, while Lowry could only manage par.
It was a match of high quality, Corsby fired six birdies and an eagle at Lowry.
“I’m overwhelmed really. I’m delighted to have won something,” Corsby said afterwards. “I’ve been playing a while and haven’t really won anything. It’s a great start to the season – I couldn’t ask for better than that.”

Lowry was philosophical about his defeat. “I’m actually not too disappointed to be honest. I left a couple of putts out there in the middle of the round, and that’s what cost me towards the end. But he holed everything. I was hitting it inside him all day and then he would hole it. It was amazing,” said Lowry.
Results in later stages:

Semi-finals - Shane Lowry (Esker Hills) bt Cian Curley (Newlands) 4 and 2, David Corsby (Lytham & St Annes) bt Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin) 1 hole.

Final - Corsby bt Lowry at 19th.