REPORT: June 15, 2021
(Irish Golfer)

Kinsale’s John Murphy made all on his professional debut to book his place into next month’s $3m ISPS HANDA World Invitational presented by Modest! Golf.

The proud Cork man, who only turned pro last week with Dublin-based JMC Sports, added a two-under 68 to his opening 67 for a four-shot win at five-under par at the £10,000 Clutch Pro Tour’s Northern Ireland Open at Cairndhu Golf Club in Antrim.

The former Louisville star, who won the Byron Nelson award during his time with the Cardinals, now has a European Tour date to look forward to at Galgorm Castle and Massereene from July 28 – August 1.

Murphy will be joined in the field by Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy who defeated K Club professional Liam Grehan in a playoff for the second qualifying spot after the pair tied at one-under par in regulation play. It’s another opportunity for the EuroPro Tour regular who grabbed his Irish Challenge start with both hands at Portmarnock Links last month, taking home the Christy O’Connor Jnr trophy for his share of fourth in Dublin.

Thalia Martin was the third qualifier at Cairndhu and she too will line up against the LPGA and LET stars next month.

The 2021 ISPS HANDA World Invitational is one of the most innovative events in world golf. It is the first time an event of this format is tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour (LET) in the northern hemisphere where men and women professionals compete in two separate events at the same time at the same venues and for the same prize money.

The ISPS HANDA World Invitational will attract a field of 288 players, 144 men and 144 women. The women’s field will be split equally between the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour.

Tickets for this exciting event can only be purchased through the official sales channel, via the ISPS HANDA World Invitational ticketing platform Eventbrite.

SCORING HERE

Article courtesy of irishgolfer.ie | Image courtesy of Andy Crook