Eddie McCormack claimed his first Irish Senior Men’s Amateur Close Championship in emphatic style at Nenagh Golf Club on Friday afternoon, August 15, twenty years after losing the final of the Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship to a young Rory McIlroy.
The Senior Men’s final would be a battle of two champions, as reigning Irish Senior Men’s Close Stroke Play champion McCormack took on Irish Senior Men’s Open Champion, Andrew Morris (Royal Portrush ) in the final, after the pair battled past Pat Murray (Adare Manor ) and David Hunt (Nenagh ) in the morning semi-finals.
McCormack would get in front early and, by his own admission, kept "the foot to the floor" as he made the turn, 6up thru nine, before sealing his 7 and 6 victory on the 12th hole to become the first player to win both the Irish Close Stroke Play and Match Play in the same season.
"Delighted to be champion, played very, very well today, especially this afternoon," said McCormack.
"I felt as if I couldn’t give him (Morris ) breathing space at all because he is such a good player."
"Any win is a nice win. It’s nice to win an Irish title, it’s another one to relish."
Reminiscing on his match against McIlroy in the final of the Men’s Close at Westport two decades ago, McCormack smiled at the memory.
"He was phenomenal, so he was, I was afraid of him that day," said McCormack.
"I didn’t win the close 20 years ago but I won it today so it’s brilliant."
