Freshman Aaron passes first test with honours

IRISH international Aaron O’Callaghan made the perfect start to his US collegiate career by claiming victory in his debut tournament.

A member of Douglas GC in Cork, O’Callaghan, 19, is a freshman at Southeastern Louisiana University and in his first competition for his new college on Tuesday, he topped the individual scores as the Lions team earned second place at the Reynolds Plantation Classic in Greensboro, near Atlanta, Georgia.

Earlier this month, O’Callaghan played for Ireland in the Home International Championships at Royal St Georges, Sandwich, having fled from the ravages of Hurricane Katrina during his first few weeks in the States.

But he showed no signs of being ruffled as he rallied from an opening round of 75 to shoot six-under (67-71) over the final two rounds for the victory, the first for a Lion since 2002.

“I felt pretty good this week,” said O’Callaghan. “It’s a pity the team finished second but we’ll try to get it (first place) next week.

“It was a good course but somewhat tough to walk. I was fortunate to have been able to hit it close most of the (final) round because I wasn’t holing many (long) putts.”

O’Callaghan started the final day in a tie for sixth place and turned in a 67 in round two to match the lowest round of the tournament.

“I was a bit surprised that I won,” he added. “I thought it might be close but some guys ahead of me dropped some shots today.”

Fellow Cork golfer and Lions team-mate Peter O’Keeffe (78-78-75), in his second year at Southeastern, rounded out the Lions contingent with a final round 75 to finish at 15-over, 231 and tied for 45th as his team finished seven shots behind winners Southern Mississippi.

Next up for O’Callaghan and O’Keeffe is next Monday and Tuesday’s Adams Cup in Newport, Rhode Island, a prestigious collegiate event featuring golf powerhouses the Universities of Houston and North Carolina, whose alumni include Fred Couples (Houston) and Davis Love III (UNC).