McElroy closes with course record 61 in McEvoy Trophy
Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy continued his excellent start to the season when he carded a course record, 10-under par 61 in the final round of the prestigious Peter McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath near Birmingham. Not bad after three successive 73s to start.
The reigning Irish Boys Close champion’s sensational effort helped him leap from 27th overnight to solo fourth place behind winner Nathan Kimsey of Woodhall Spa, putting him in the frame for Walker Cup selection later this year.
The 17-year old opened with three straight birdies and picked up two more to turn in five under par 30 before racing home in 31 with five more birdies to slice three strokes off the previous course best in a round that required just 26 putts.
Kimsey, who led by a shot overnight from Callum Shinkwin (77), closed with a fine 67 to win by six strokes from Chobham’s Greg Payne on 12 under par with defending champion Rhys Pugh seven behind in third place.
McElroy, who made a great run in the European Nations Cup at Sotogrande recently, ended up eight shots adrift on four under after a good week for the Irish entrants.
Donabate’s Gavin Moynihan 69, 71, 72, 70) was seventh on two under with Rathsallagh’s Jack Hume (70, 72, 72, 73) a shot futher back in 12th.