Kinsale international John Murphy can look forward to a PGA Tour start next year after he won the prestigious Byron Nelson Award presented by Srixon/Cleveland Golf.

Winner of the St Andrews Links Trophy in 2018 and the Mullingar Scratch Trophy last year, the University of Louisville senior was chosen for his “entire collegiate academic and golf career as well as his character and integrity while in college.”

As a result of his win, he’s earned an exemption for next May’s AT&T Byron Nelson event in Dallas and he was still pinching himself last night as he announced that he would take advantage of an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA and return to Louisville next term.

"I am still overawed to have been honoured with this award and to have my name mentioned in the same sentence as Byron Nelson,” said Murphy (22), who won twice on the US collegiate circuit this season having moved to Louisville from Maynooth University for his sophomore year in 2017-18

“To be recognised for what I do both on and off the golf course is incredible and I am so grateful that the committee put their faith in me.

"I am also very thankful that the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic committee have honoured this award with an exemption into their tournament.”

Murphy was recognised, not only for his golfing and academic achievements but also for his work in the community.

Through three years at Louisville he had a scoring average of 71.98 and earned a pair of individual victories during his senior season.

The senior was a PING All-Region selection in 2019 and 2020, a 2020 PING Honorable Mention All-American, as well as an ACC-All Academic Team selection and a Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar.

Off the course, he volunteered at the Franciscan Kitchen of Louisville, the Open Adult Wheelchair Basketball event for the Metro Parks Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation division, as well as the local Salvation Army.

“The Salesmanship Club of Dallas congratulates John on his award,” said Jon Drago, Tournament Director of the AT&T Byron Nelson. 

“His great play and more importantly the way he conducts himself and represents the values of the game are truly representative of the award named for Byron Nelson.

“Mr. Nelson has been the inspiration behind the AT&T Byron Nelson for more than 50 years, and we look forward to him competing with us once he has fulfilled his obligations at the University of Louisville.”

This season’s AT&T Byron Nelson was cancelled but the 2021 event looks set to take place at Trinity Forest Golf Club in Dallas, shortly after the 2021 Walker Cup at Seminole.