Kevin LeBlanc aims to emulate Rory McIlroy

The Island’s Kevin LeBlanc is determined to prove the doubters wrong and become the youngest West of Ireland champion since Rory McIlroy.

On a day when Co Sligo’s Sean Flanagan clearly emerged as one of the men to beat following his hard-fought, one-hole win over reigning East and South of Ireland champion Stuart Grehan, the 17-year old from the Island beat another top international in Alex Gleeson by holing a 20 footer for birdie on the 18th.

“I was just trying to die it in,” said LeBlanc after his right-to-left birdie putt fell in the side door, making Gleeson’s eight-footer for par irrelevant.