Carvill snatches Irish Assistants title after O'Briain error
Christopher Carvill
Belvoir Park's Christopher Carvill, made the most of a final hole slip-up from Neil O'Briain to win the Irish PGA Assistants Championship at Nuremore Hotel and Country Club.
Old Conna's O'Briain had a one shot lead playing the par four 18th but lost his ball off the tee and the resulting double-bogey opened the door for Carvill who came through to nick the title with a par.
It was a surprise victory for the 27-year-old, who turned his back on a business career to follow his passion for golf.
“I spent four years in North Carolina in college and then when I returned home I did a Masters degree in Business Development,” said Carvill.
“I was weighing up my next move when the head professional at Belvoir, Michael McGivern, offered me the opportunity at the club. He knew how much I enjoyed the coaching side of things and knew that I would regret it if I passed up the chance to make it as a professional.”
Carvill has only played a handful of events this season but began the day neck and neck with O'Briain on one under par after rounds of 72/69.
After nine holes of the today's final round O'Briain had a two shot lead but Carvill refused to panic.
“I had found the opening 13 holes difficult throughout the tournament and I firmly believed that if I could keep in touch I had a chance over the closing holes,” he said.
True to his word the Belfast golfer rattled off three birdies in a row at 15, 16 and 17 but O'Briain responded with birdies of his own at 15 and 17 to take a one shot lead onto the 18th tee where his blocked tee shot proved fatal.
Massereene's Noel Murray finished third after a best of the day round of 67.
Irish PGA Assistants Championship, Nuremore Hotel and Country Club (Par 71)
Leading Scores
1 Christopher Carvill (Belvoir Park GC) 72/69/70 - 211
2 Neil O'Briain (Old Conna GC) 73/68/71 - 212
3 Noel Murray (Massereene GC) 71/75/67 - 213
4 David Ruddy 71/71/72 - 214
5 Ian Brennan (Greenore GC) 73/73/70 - 216
T6 Graham Donohoe (Rosslare GC) 72/75/70 - 217
T6 Joe Dillon (Headfort GC) 71/71/75 - 217
T8 Steven Quinlan (Lucan GC) 79/71/69 - 219
T8 Shane McCabe (Killeen GC) 69/77/73 - 219
T8 Keith Shannon (Greenore GC) 69/75/75 - 219
