McDonald wins West of Ireland title after extra holes

UCD and Woodbrook’s Paul McDonald held his nerve to beat Hermitage’s Greg Bowden at the 22nd in a scrappy West of Ireland final at Rosses Point.

Bowden, 21, had birdied the 18th to beat Stephen Moloney by one hole in his semi-final while McDonald got up and down for pars at the last three holes to beat Sweden’s Oskar Henningsson, also by one hole.

In the final McDonald, 22, was three up after 11 holes but saw his lead dwindle to nothing as he lost the 12th, 13th and 14th to pars.

He went one up again at the 15th but Bowden ensured a grandstand finish by holing a pressure-packed eight foot par putt at the 17th to level the match.

After sharing the 18th in par, both players had chances to take the title at each of the first three extra holes.

However, the match was decided at the 165-yard par-three fourth where Bowden missed the green to the right.

McDonald hit the green in regulation, stroked his 35 footer four feet past the hole and then holed the return for victory after Bowden’s eight foot par putt had missed on the low side.

Semi-finals:

P McDonald (UCD/Woodbrook) bt O Henningsson (Sweden) 1 hole;

G Bowden (Hermitage) bt S Moloney (Castletroy) 1 hole.

Final:

P McDonald bt G Bowden at 22nd.