Dylan Holmes becomes youngest West of Ireland Amateur Open winner since Rory McIlroy

“It’s incredible, I didn’t really have any expectations coming into this week,” said the Leaving Cert student will now also have a busy golf schedule to look forward to in 2025.

WINNER: Golf Ireland President Michael Evans presents the West of Ireland Men's Amateur Open trophy to Winner Dylan Holmes. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

Greystones teenager Dylan Holmes finished off a stunning week with a 2&1 victory over the experienced Colm Campbell (Warrenpoint) at a rain-soaked Connolly Motor Group West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship.

The 18-year-old was making his debut in men’s championships at County Sligo and this sensational triumph means he is the youngest winner of the West since Rory McIlroy in 2006.

Holmes performed heroics to reach the final day and continued that scintillating form on Tuesday morning defeating local favourite Barry Anderson in the semi-finals, before he battled through harsh weather conditions to sink his opponent in the decider.

The Leaving Cert student will now also have a busy golf schedule to look forward to in 2025.

“It’s incredible, I didn’t really have any expectations coming into this week,” said Holmes.

“I played a great first 13 holes, some of the best golf I have ever played, and then I don’t know what happened to the weather but it was worse than the first round which was hard.

“You weren’t making any pars out there the last few holes. You are not able to get to any of the greens, it was ridiculous.

“I guess I’m in with a few good names now so it’s nice. McIlroy is incomparable.”

Dylan Holmes tees off the fourteenth. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

Holmes had finished on +10 after rounds of 77 and 75 in stroke play and he improved in the match play. Victories over Adam Smith (2&1), Greg O’Mahony (6&4) and David Kitt (1up) followed, before a gritty win against Jonathan Keane in the quarter-finals, where he only took the lead for the first time on the 19th hole.

Campbell had a similarly impressive run through the knockout rounds, with a 5&3 win against Jack McDonnell yesterday morning and a 2&1 success at the expense of Harry Gillivan in the afternoon. Campbell defeated former professional Stuart Grehan 2&1 in the semi-finals on Tuesday morning but came unstuck in the decider.

A par was good enough for Holmes to take an early 1up lead on the first in the Final and that was a 3up advantage by the sixth. Campbell rallied but fell to a four in arrears by the 13th. The Warrenpoint man won the 14th and 16th holes but it wasn’t enough and he shook hands on the 17th green.

Meanwhile, defending champion Brendan Lawlor secured the ISPS Handa G4D at The West title after he finished with a second round of 80 for a +10 total in testing conditions.

Sligo local Alan Gaynor was second in the gross stroke play while Caolan Munnelly (Tullamore) completed the top three.

Mark Clougherty took home the net stroke play title after rounds of 75 and 74 were enough for the Lambeg golfer to finish two shots clear of Paul Kelly (County Armagh).

Jarlath King (Ballinrobe) won the net stableford crown after he accumulated a total of 69 points. Declan Burns (Foyle) was second on 64 points with Timmy Moloney (Co Tipperary) three points further back.

“I love links golf and I don’t play much links golf to be honest but when I get out here there’s something about it,” said Lawlor.

“I am quite a feel player, so I love feeling those type of shots, six irons from 120 yards, all these different type of shots around links are really joyful to play.

“It was an absolute battle out there, trying to keep the ball under the wind was pretty tough. I played very solid. I had a sweet buffer coming in and it was kind of a match play situation between me and Alan today. So, I’m really happy with the win.”