Challenge TourBrian KeoghColm Moriarty, English Challenge, Gary MurphyComment

Irish Open fillip for Murphy

Challenge TourBrian KeoghColm Moriarty, English Challenge, Gary MurphyComment

Happier times. Gary Murphy en route to a share of third place in the 2008 Irish Open at Adare Manor. Photo by Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieGary Murphy posted a final round of three under par 69 to banish the memory of his third day 79 at the Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf & Spa in Essex.

The Drogheda based professional finished the week on one over par and back in a tie for 58th spot but he will head to this week’s Irish Open presented by Discover Ireland buoyed by his final round performance in England.

Athlone’s Colm Moriarty, the only other Irishman to make the halfway cut in England posted a final round 71 to finish the week on one under and in a tie for 42nd place. Moriarty will join Murphy in Killarney at the Irish Open.

Frenchman Benjamin Hebert took the English Challenge title, carding a final round 70 to take the €25,600 first prize by two strokes from his compatriot Victor Riu.