‘The Ryder Cup took something from me’

They never really retire, golfers.

Even when they fade away, still they play.

Two days ago Philip Walton left his home in Ashbourne shortly after dawn to drive down to Mount Wolseley in Carlow for a pro-am. It was all for a good cause, to raise funds for schooling children with autism and other special needs, but it was a long day at the office. He didn’t get off the course until just before six o’clock, back home until after nine. He finished three over par, seven shots behind the winner, Gary Murphy. He actually struck the ball well but then he’s been striking it pretty well all season since he turned 50 to qualify to play on the Seniors Tour. It’s just translating ball-striking into lower scores that has been the problem.