Galbraith versus Gleeson for Irish Close Championship

2014 champion John Ross Galbraith, the leading qualifier, will face last year's beaten finalist Alex Gleeson in the final of the AIG Irish Close Championship at Ballyliffin this afternoon.

In this morning's semi-finals Galbraith beat Newlands' Jake Whelan 3 and 1 as he bids for his second Close title while Gleeson produced a stunning iron shot at the 18th to seal a one-hole win against 18-year-old Peter Kerr.

Kerr pushed Gleeson all the way in the second semi-final, producing a timely birdie at the 16th to square the match. When Kerr found a fairway bunker on the 18th, Gleeson seized his opportunity and fired an 8-iron to within four feet.

Galbraith was always in control of his semi-final with Whelan, taking a three-hole lead at the 11th. After a crucial par-save from the bunker on 16, Galbraith had one foot in the final and he closed out the match on 17.

For Gleeson, this will be his second successive appearance in the final having lost to Tiarnan McLarnon at Tramore in 2015. After victory on his debut at the Close in 2014, Galbraith is chasing a second title.​