Kevin Phelan and Gavin Moynihan up for Challenge at Mount Wolseley
The former Walker Cup players are well down the Challenge Tour rankings after a frustrating year battling the bombers in a weekly birdie-fest on the second tier circuit.
Both admit they have lacked consistency but also know they can excel on a tighter, more technical test such as Mount Wolseley, September 8-11, than they can on the weekly battle of the bombers.
A two-time Irish Amateur Open winner, Mount Wolseley touring professional Moynihan has made just three cuts from eight Challenge Tour starts this year, making just over €3,300.
It’s no surprise that his best result by far came when he got an invitation to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at The K Club and finished tied 36th, pocketing €26,800.
Moynihan said: “It’s hit it, find it, and hit it again on the Challenge Tour. So that’s why the Irish Open was great — if you struck the ball well, you did well.
“On the Challenge Tour, you can play average and still do well if you hit it long. It can be a bit of a putting contest and some of the cuts are crazy — four, five under par, or more.
“I was around 18th in South Africa and bogeyed three of the last five holes and ended up missing the cut.
“I missed the cut at Mount Wolseley last year too but I can’t wait to get back there. I’ll be heading for Q-School so this will be a great build up. I love the course because it’s a great all round test.”
Phelan played in two US Opens as an amateur but, like Moynihan, realised his precision game is not rewarded on the Challenge Tour, where the “grip it and rip it” approach is rewarded.
“There is a lot less to separate the players compared to the main European Tour where the courses make the difference,” said Phelan .
“It’s about making as many birdies as you can on the Challenge Tour, whereas on the main tour, par is sometimes a good score.
“If you don’t shoot three or four under each round on the Challenge Tour, you are losing ground and the courses tend to suit people who are as close to the hole as possible for their approaches, regardless of whether they are in the rough or the fairway.
“Being aggressive is my style from 150 yards and in so it is just a case of making better decisions. and hitting my seven and eight irons close when other guys are hitting wedges.”
Attached to Mount Wolseley’s sister course Mount Juliet — both are owned by the Tetrarch Group — Phelan is hoping to peak now as the biggest Challenge Tour purses are concentrated in the last six events.
“I missed a lot of cuts in two years on the main two and had a few big finishes,” he said.
“This year on Challenge Tour I’ve made nearly every cut but one bad round has cost me. I just need to string four rounds together and Mount Wolseley could be the place. it’s a super course.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
