HOYLAKE, ENGLAND | The Irish pairing of Olivia Byrne and John Murphy secured a thrilling win in the R&A 9 Hole Challenge Final on the eve of the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool.
More than 100,000 golfers from all over the world entered nine-hole qualifying events in the hope of securing the opportunity to play the Championship course just days before the world’s best men’s golfers competed.
First staged in 2016, the R&A 9 Hole Challenge encourages competition in a shorter format of the sport, with players from Great Britain and Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and, for the first time, Argentina, France and South Africa participating to be one of the 38 finalists in action at Hoylake.
From the 19 team pairings, the Irish duo from Glenlo Abbey Golf Club – a nine-hole course in Galway, Ireland – who won the Stableford competition with a net aggregate score of 36 points to take the 2023 title.
“We come from a small little club in the west of Ireland, and this is beyond our wildest dreams. We thought the prize was getting to play Royal Liverpool, but to have won is incredible.”
John MurphY
Following a card countback for second place, their compatriots Susan McKnight and Alan McKnight (Cork) finished as runners-up on 30 points, ahead of the third-place Australian pair of Erin Del Pizzo and David Baker.
Although three teams took home trophies, it was agreed by all finalists that the real prize was the dream opportunity to play the venue in championship conditions, including the two new closing holes at Hoylake.
“It’s unbelievable to have won,” Murphy said. “We come from a small little club in the west of Ireland, and this is beyond our wildest dreams. We thought the prize was getting to play Royal Liverpool, but to have won is incredible.”
In challenging conditions over Hoylake, as nature threw wind and rain at the players, golfers with a handicap index ranging from eight to 45 enjoyed the unforgettable opportunity.
“It’s a tough course, especially for an amateur,” Byrne said. “I only took up golf three years ago, so it was challenging, but we managed.”
Murphy added: “The course is in fabulous condition. To have the opportunity to play it is amazing, despite the windy, wet weather.”
Coming from a nine-hole golf club, Murphy and Byrne highlighted the benefits of playing the shorter format competitively.
“The nine-hole format is perfect for people who don’t have the time to play 18 holes,” Byrne said. “I started playing with a friend, and she helped me after seeing my shots go all over the place. I stuck with it, and got better and better over time. I really enjoy it.”
Added Murphy: “I had a car accident a few years ago, so it’s not possible for me to play a full 18 holes at the moment. I joined a nine-hole club in 2015, and we play with friends three or four times in the evening during the week. You can get in and out in under two hours after work, so it’s great.”
The R&A 9 Hole Challenge is central to the organisation’s wider drive to promote this form of golf as an ideal way to enjoy playing the sport in less time, either recreationally or competitively for handicap purposes, and experience the physical and mental-health benefits golf provides.
There has been an impressive growth of nine-hole golf in recent years, aided by the ease of the new World Handicap System to submit scores and the ability of golf to be played safely in a number of countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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