‘Gutted’ but proud, John Murphy won’t forget St Andrews experience

The 23-year old Kinsale golfer was playing in just his third European Tour event and after closing with a 71 to finish ninth behind Danny Willett, he knows now he has the game to make it on the Tour

John Murphy tees off on the 18th during Day Four of The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at The Old Course, St Andrews. Picture: Matthew Lewis

Kinsale's John Murphy confessed he was initially “gutted” not to contend for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, but after closing with a 71 to finish ninth behind Danny Willett, he knows now he has the game to make it on the European Tour.

The 23-year old Walker Cup star was playing in just his third European Tour event but after going into the final round three shots behind Willett, then making three birdies in a row from the third to close to within a shot of the lead, he was bitterly disappointed to make a double-bogey six at the 352-yard ninth that effectively killed his challenge.