Amateur ace Hurley learns to cope with highs and lows

They came in busloads and carloads from West Waterford to support their 21-year-old hero who, on Friday, had captured the imagination of the golfing world by shooting a superb five under par 66 at the Irish Open.

Saturday, however, was a different affair. Having been under the radar, Gary Hurley was now the focus of considerable attention and for a young and inexperienced amateur competing in his first professional championship, it all became a little too much. He endured a wretched start and while he battled gamely to steady the ship, eventually signed for a ten over 81 that sent him to the back of the field.

To his great credit, the youngster from Aglish, outside Dungarvan, regrouped yesterday. He went out with a marker at 6.45am and three hours later was back in the clubhouse with the cheers of the already sizeable attendance ringing in his ears as he knocked in a 25 foot birdie putt on the par five 18th green to finish in 73 for a total of 292. Rather surprisingly and disappointingly, there was no amateur prize to mark the occasion.