Pyne loses out to a younger Fox

NOEL PYNE first played in the Shell South of Ireland Championship when still a leaving certificate student at St Flannan’s College, Ennis.

That was all of 40 years ago and he has never missed a South since. He loves Lahinch and it shows. Even though he sparkled in the Clare hurling jersey from 1965 to 1971, his devotion to golf at his home club in Ennis and just down the road at Lahinch shone through and yesterday it looked as if all his experience and know-how would pay a rich dividend as he moved into a two hole lead at the turn of his fourth round match against Walker Cup hopeful Noel Fox.

Pyne, 57, had played the opening nine in one under par 35, remarkable scoring in the extremely demanding conditions, and had Fox under a lot of pressure. But the younger man holed an eight footer for a great four and a crucial win at the difficult 10th to get back to one down and from there the contest gradually switched in his favour. Fox moved two ahead at the 14th but Pyne isn’t one to give up without a fight. He had a chance at 16 but three putted and after reaching the 17th with a six iron for his second, missed from ten feet to keep the match alive.