Joe Lyons defies unlucky 13 to seal emotional Irish seniors win

Lyons dedicate the victory to his family, including both of his parents who have health issues

Fri, 22 May, 2026 - 19:56

Daragh Small

Galway golfer Joe Lyons dedicated his one-shot victory in the Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Open Championship to his family after a special win in Castlerock.

The two-time Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close winner, who was beaten in a play-off in this championship three years ago, battled hard to finish on eight-under and see off home favourite David Mulholland.

Lyons was cruising coming to the 13th hole, but he caught a flier from his approach and went over the green, a subsequent three-putt resulted in a double-bogey.

Mulholland sunk a crucial birdie on the same hole and it looked as though that could have been the turning point. However, Lyons was inspired following his sensational 65 on Thursday, and he held his nerve down the closing stretch matching Mulholland all the way.

“It means a huge amount. I’ve won a lot down through the years and I’d like to dedicate this win particularly to my mom and dad. They have health issues at the moment,” said Lyons.

“My dad taught me how to play the game. Mam always supported us and encouraged me to golf and to win. The two of them have health difficulties at the moment and it’s lovely to win it for them.

“And of course my wife, a number of years back I went away from the game and it was my wife, Vera, who persuaded me to go back playing golf. Those three people, I owe a lot of my successes to them.

“Today is really, really pleasing for me and for my family to be able to close the deal here.”

Reigning champion Andrew Morris (Royal Portrush) set the clubhouse target early but his closing 71 left him on one-over and out of contention.

The Island’s Fergal Kennedy came with a run but after a couple of birdies in his front nine, a double-bogey on the 12th put paid to his chances of winning.

Paul Wharton (Woodhall Spa) was one shot further in arrears on three-under with Round 1 leader Christopher O’Connor (Corrstown) back on two-under.

That left Lyons and Mulholland to fight it out and while Mulholland wrestled back the momentum with his birdie on the Par 4 13th, he parred the next three holes.

His next birdie didn’t arrive until 17 and with Lyons doing likewise it meant that a par was enough to seal the win for Lyons down 18.

“I started very steady, I knew exactly what the ball was doing all day. I could easily have been a couple more, I just lipped out with a couple of putts,” said Lyons.

“Next thing I got a flier with my second shot over the back, had to hack out and I end up making a double-bogey. And David, of course, rolled in a putt from 20 feet for birdie there. He went from four behind to one in one foul swoop.

“It was a nerve-wracking finish after that.”