Reed chips and charges to Masters

PAUL REED of the Bristol and Clifton Golf Club was celebrating yesterday after winning the PGA EuroPro Tour Audi Cork Irish Masters at Fota Island Resort.

He shot a final round four-under-par 68 for a 54-hole total of 11 under, two shots clear of South African Darryn Lloyd, while Cork’s Niall Turner (Muskerry/Team of Ireland) was joint third with Scot Shaun McAllister at eight under.

Reed, who took a one-shot lead into the final round at the Belvelly course, finished with birdie on the par-five 18th after rolling in a 10-foot putt. Before he collected his £10,000 cheque he said the victory was due to his short game.

“It has been the most unbelievable week. It is a beautiful golf course and a pleasure to be here but I thought I would struggle to make the cut it is such a demanding course. It is too long for me. I generally don’t hit the ball very far and I thought I had no chance whatsoever.

“I just chipped and putted the best in my life. I chipped in five times in three rounds which is crazy.

“I’m just waiting for someone to tell me it is all a joke because I didn’t think I could shoot these rounds. When it sinks in it will give me a lot of confidence and hopefully I will go on and finish in the Top Five in the Order of Merit and get my Challenge Tour card.”

Meanwhile, Turner, who was one of the home favourites, was pleased with his top-three finish but was also left to wonder what might have been after a final round 67.

“I left a ton of shots out there in the first two rounds on the par fives. I only played them one under, which is terrible. I had a few bad chips and a few three-putts. But, all in all, it is a positive week.

“I am trying to get into the Irish Open but we will see. I hope this result will help a little bit.”

Meanwhile, Garth McGimpsey (Bangor) coasted home to take the Irish Seniors Amateur Close title in Thurles by six shots after carding a final round of level-par 72.

The former Walker Cup captain beat defending champion Maurice Kelly (Killeen), who finished as runner-up.

Connacht Seniors champion Nigel Duke clinched the Over-60s prize with a final round 75, while Tipperary’s John O’Donoghue won the Over-65 category and Blainroe’s Alistair Smith was best of the over-70s.

Picture: Paul Reed of Bristol & Clifton Golf Club, winner of the Audi Cork Irish Masters, with Kevin Morris, director of golf at Fota Island Resort Golf Club, Cork yesterday. Picture: Diane Cusack