Par-threes a charm for Barry

Sligo golfer Barry Anderson birdied each of Little Island’s three par-three holes in yesterday’s final round of the Munster Open Stroke Play Championship to capture the title by two strokes from home club member Gary O’Flaherty and Royal Dublin’s Richard Knightley.

While the course was in its customary magnificent condition, birdies and sub-par rounds were difficult to come by over two days of variable weather and it was hardly surprising that rounds of 72, 74, 72 and 71, for a one-over-par total of 289, were sufficient to land the title for 23-year-old Anderson.

Having played and enjoyed the Cork layout as a member of the Connacht Boys’ team in 2008, he felt comfortable even if he had to display the outstanding shot-making and sound temperament that saw him earn a place on the Irish Senior team as a teenager.