FROM THE EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Michael Hoey wrote another glorious chapter in the remarkable story of Northern Irish golf after holding off illustrious Ulster compatriots Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell to win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Hoey, who began the week 271st in the Official World Golf Ranking, carded a final round of 68 at St Andrews for a 22 under par total of 266 to claim his second European Tour title of the season and the first prize of €588,148.
McIlroy finished two shots behind after a closing 65, with the man he succeeded as US Open Champion, Graeme McDowell, sharing third alongside Scotland's George Murray, the former Scottish amateur champion from Anstruther, a further two strokes back.
"It hasn't sunk in yet and it won't for a while," Hoey admitted.
"It's taken a long time but I supposed in a weird way you enjoy it more because you have struggled through six goes at the Qualifying School.
"It's not nice running out of money, being away from home, questioning your swing, and there are points where you wonder 'Do I want to continue with this."
Hoey, 32, began the final round three ahead of McDowell and five clear of McIlroy, only for McIlroy to card four birdies and an eagle in a brilliant front nine of 30 to move into the lead.
The US Open Champion birdied the second and then holed his second shot to the par four third for an eagle 2, his approach pitching past the flag but spinning back into the hole.
Further birdies at the sixth, seventh and ninth took McIlroy top of the leaderboard before Hoey hit back from his second bogey of the day on the seventh with birdies at the eighth and ninth to draw level.
McIlroy pulled ahead again after a superb tee-shot on the par three 11th finished just two feet from the hole, but that surprisingly proved to be the 22 year old's last birdie of the day.
Hoey missed from four feet for birdie on the 14th after hitting two drivers to the front of the green - "I felt I was throwing it away at that stage," he admitted - but quickly put that disappointment behind him with birdies on the next two holes from close range to take a lead he would not relinquish.
"Playing with Graeme (McDowell), he's such a battler and wanted to win himself, but he said to me a couple of times on the green 'Knock it in' and fortunately at the end I was able to put a bit of fight in myself," Hoey added.
"I knew I had to hit two of the best shots of my life into 16 and 17 and I was really pleased I was able to produce those."
McIlroy admitted he was disappointed not to have secured his third European Tour title, having played the first 11 holes in seven under par but then failing to pick up another birdie.
Even the continued success of Northern Irish players failed to comfort McIlroy, who said: "Yeah it's great to see but to me, I don't care who wins now because I'm not.
"I've been very consistent, which is a good thing, but I want to get wins and that's the most important thing. It's good to be one, two, three and see all of us boys up there, I'm just obviously disappointed that it wasn't me lifting the trophy.
"I'm sure it will be a long flight to Korea in the morning thinking about it."
George Murray,
pictured right by Cal Carson Golf Agency, from nearby Anstruther, started the week in 183rd place on The Race to Dubai but quadrupled his year’s earnings for his share of third place with his biggest ever cheque of 198,677 Euros.
And the 28 year old Fifer admitted some of that cash would be spent on a few drinks in celebration.
"I've got a flight at noon tomorrow to Madrid for the next tournament but I think I could struggle to make that," he said.
"I must admit, when I stood on the first tee and they announced I was playing with World Number One Luke Donald, I thought 'Oh no, that's me, three rounds just gone to gravy'. But I managed to get it around pretty good, despite being nervous the whole way round."
As for Donald, he had to settle for a share of ninth after a closing 70, with his lead over McIlroy at the top of the Race to Dubai cut to just under €1,300,000.
SCOTSWATCH: Apart from George Murray's joint third finish, there was plenty for Scots fans to cheer. Marc Warren was only a shot behin in joint fifth place on 271, alongside Tommy Fleetwood and last year's Open champion over St Andrews, South African Louis Oosthuizen.
Warren shot 67-67-70-67 to collected 126,334 Euros but a bogey 5 at the last from the Valley on Sin in front of the 18th green cost him £64,000. Colin Montgomerie (70-276) finished third best Scot on 276 and earned 38,2888 Euros.
Richie Ramsay was joint 39th on 279. He too finished with a 70 and earedn 21,879.
Rookie pro James Byrne earned !6,939 Euros as did Paul Lawrie as they tied for 45th place on 280. Byrne finished with a 70, Lawrie with his worst round of the four, a 72.
Even Sandy Lyle had a payday. He collected 7,940 Euros for a total of 284 after a closing round of 73 for joint 64th position.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
Prize money in Euros
266 Michael Hoey (N Ireland) 66 66 66 68 (588,149).
268 Rory McIlroy (N Ireland) 70 67 66 65 (392,097).
270 Graeme McDowell (N Ireland) 67 67 67 69, George Murray (Scotland) (198.677 each).
271 Tommy Fleetwood (England) 69 63 71 68, Louis Oosthuizen (S Africa) 66 67 69 69, Marc Warren (Scotland) 67 67 70 67 (126,334 each).
272 Padraig Harrington (Ireland) 68 71 64 69 (88,222).
OTHER SCOTS' TOTALS
276 Colin Montgomerie 68 72 66 70 (T21) (38,288).
279 Richie Ramsay 72 66 71 70 (T39) (21,879).
280 James Byrne 67 71 72 70, Paul Lawrie 71 68 69 72 (T45) (16,939)
284 Sandy Lyle 69 70 72 73 (T64) (7,940).
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NICK DOUGHERTY MISSES THE CUT BUT WINS
TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP WITH CHRIS EVANS
Partnering the professionals were an enthusiastic group of talented amateur golfers, who competed for the Alfred Dunhill Links Team Championship, which was won by English pair Nick Dougherty and media personality Chris Evans with a remarkable 40-under-par, just four shots off the record. They shot an 11-under- par 61 on the final day to hold on to their overnight lead and win by a three-stroke margin.
Chris Evans admitted he was “in a bit of a daze” after their victory. He said: “I couldn’t have wished for a better partner than Nick. He actually requested to play with me, which I really appreciated, and he is just a great bloke. I’m pleased we won for him and, despite not getting to the final day in the individual tournament, he still shot 20 birdies over the four days – which just shows how well he played.”
Dougherty and Evans had net scores of 66, 57, 64 and 61 for a total of 248 - which suggests that Chris Evans needs his handicap checked out.
William Farish junior, from a family of famous racehorse owners and breeders, was second in the Team Championship with his partner, the individual event champion, Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland, while 14-year-old local St Andrews schoolboy Alasdair McDougall finished in equal third place alongside his partner, the Dutch professional Joost Luiten.
ALASDAIR McDOUGALL (only 14) - JT 3RD
IN TEAM EVENT - REMEMBER THE NAME
By BILL SHAW
Alasdair, who hails from Drumoig and attends St Leonard’s High School in nearby St Andrews, was selected for an amateur slot in the tournament last Wednesday. After an impressive opening round on Thursday at the Old Course, he proceeded to clock up impressive scorecards with his playing partner, Joost Luiten, at Kingsbarns and Carnoustie to qualify for Sunday’s final day of play.
In today’s final round at the Old Course the pair turned in an impressive -10, finishing on a team score of 35 under, behind the team winners Nick Dougherty and media personality Chris Evans, who triumphed with a fantastic net team score of 40 under par.
Tournament winner Michael Hoey of Northern Ireland and his amateur partner William Farish Jr finished on – 37 for second place.
Sharing third place with Alasdair and Joost were French professional Romain Wattell and his amateur partner Don St Pierre.
Alasdair is a promising young golfer who won the St Andrews Links Junior Golf Association (SALJGA) Order of Merit this year. He was born in Carlisle but moved to Drumoig with his family six years ago. Attending school in St Andrews, Alasdair immediately joined SALJGA and quickly fell in love with the game. Two years ago his handicap was 13 but he is now playing off three. Earlier this year he represented Scotland in the under-16 quadrangular internationals playing against Ireland, the Netherlands, Italy and Wales. Alasdair is also part of the national Scottish Golf Union squad coached by Steve North, Director of Instruction at St Andrews Links Golf Academy.
Speaking today after his final round, Alasdair said: “It was just amazing, just watching these people play and the feeling that you get when you get a birdie in front of the crowd. I’ve had two birdies on the 17th now (at the Old Course) – and I’m just buzzing.”
Alasdair says he tried not to think too much about making the cut for Sunday during Saturday’s round at Carnoustie: “I just blocked everything out and thought about playing my own game. Yesterday on the front nine I just played really well and made three birdies in a row.”
Asked if he thought he had a serious chance of winning the team event, he said: “Oh yeah, we had to get up there and play the last four holes really well which we did, apart from 18 which wasn’t too good. I’ve been shaking for most of the round thinking I could be in the top three. That’s all I wanted really.
In terms of his future plans, Alasdair says his appearance in the tournament has given him inspiration to pursue a professional career. “I just want to do this my whole life now. The thrill I got making birdies in front of the crowds is just amazing.
“I always wanted to play in high standards of competitions but this really makes me want to do it even more and I’m going to practise every day for hours and hours so I can get here.”
Alasdair’s professional playing partner, Dutch golfer Joost Luiten, was very complimentary of the youngster’s abilities, saying: “It was great to play with him - he can hit the ball. He made some really nice birdies and hit some really nice shots and if he just keeps doing what he does now he will be a very good player and we’ll see him on the tour in a couple of years.”
Alasdair’s proud parents followed their son on his rounds over the week. His father Duncan said: “We’ve had a great week watching Ally who played some excellent and really kept his cool throughout. I had a smile on my all week watching him play with the professionals.”
Website:
http://www.alfreddunhilllinks.com/
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