Patrick Curran set for Irish Intervarsity Championship defence

Patrick Curran celebrates winning the 2025 Irish Intervarsity Championship at Kirkistown Castle. Pic: Inpho/Laszlo Geczo

Patrick Curran will bid to defend his Irish Intervarsity Championship title at Carne Golf Links this week as the National College of Ireland student looks to add another collegiate victory to an impressive 2026 season.

84 of Ireland’s leading collegiate golfers will compete on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course, with individual and team honours up for grabs on the world-renowned Eddie Hackett designed links.

Curran was imperious in his wire-to-wire victory at Kirkistown Castle last October, producing a commanding performance from start to finish to claim the title by ten shots in testing conditions.

“I stayed very patient last year and when the conditions are tough like that, you’ve got to hang on and then hope that something comes your way,” said Curran.

“I didn't rush anything, didn't push for anything special. I just kept the game plan the same the whole week.” 

The 21-year-old’s victory at the County Down venue, alongside wins at the Woodbrook Scratch Cup and R&A Student Tour Series in Sweden, provided a big boost to his confidence. He carried that form into 2026, with a runner-up finish at the North of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship in May among the highlights of his season.

Curran arrives at Carne in strong form after claiming another R&A Student Tour Series title at Killeen Castle just two weeks ago, where he secured a four-shot victory. He credits much of his recent progress to the work he has put in with his coaches over the past two years.

“When I putt well, that's when I perform my best, because my long game tends to be one of my stronger parts of my game,” said Curran.

“My putting coach, Gareth McShae, helps me a lot with reading greens so when I really get dialled in with the green reading, then that's when I can hole a lot of putts and that's when the good scores come.” 

“In regard to the long game, I work a lot with Andrew Hogan. He's helped me loads over the last few years. With my two coaches, we've dialled it all in over the last two years. They get a lot of credit for my good results this year and last year as well.” 

Although Curran’s home club of Edmondstown is a parkland setup, much of his joy this season has come at links courses and with traditional blustery mid-autumn weather expected on the west coast this week, the Dublin native is relishing the challenge that awaits in Belmullet.

“I love playing links. The courses are so nice,” said Curran.

“I do like the finesse that you can apply when it's windy and you're on a links course and it's narrow. You have to hit different styles of shots. It definitely brings out a different side of my golf game where I can get a bit more artistic with the shot making.” 

Having secured victory last year, Curran will be among the leading contenders as he looks to become a back-to-back champion. However, his approach remains the same, with the defending champion focused on taking each shot as it comes and enjoying his time on the course, regardless of the outcome.

“I love just playing golf in general. Any time I get the chance to go out and play, I take it as a great blessing,” said Curran.

“I'd never say, the goal is to win, that's everyone's goal, I think, when they go to play a tournament, but if I can really focus on every shot and make sure I give each shot 100%, then if at the end of the week that comes to a trophy, then happy days, and if it doesn't, that will just give me more motivation to work harder for the next one.” 

The Irish Intervarsity Championship gets underway at Carne Golf Links on Wednesday morning, with Edward Farr (Maynooth), Lucas Lyons (University of Limerick) and Éanna Mulhare (TUS Midwest) teeing off at 8.30am before Curran gets the defence of his title underway from 9.40am alongside Robbie Walsh (University College Cork) and Conor Stapleton (Maynooth University).