Sugrue to miss Amateur Championship defence due to coronavirus travel restrictions

James Sugrue (Mallow) winnerl of the 2019 The Amateur Championship at Portmarnock Golf Club. (22/06/2019). Picture by Pat Cashman

James Sugrue is bitterly disappointed that he will be unable to defend his British Amateur Championship title at Royal Birkdale due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The Mallow international had already missed out on the chance to tee it up in the Memorial Tournament in Ohio last month, though he is hoping that Jack Nicklaus will be in a position to invite him back next year.

However, with the golf schedule drastically reduced to the coronavirus pandemic, he was looking forward to playing the Brabazon Trophy from August 18-21 and then defending the Amateur Championship title at Royal Birkdale the following week.

James Sugrue (Mallow) winner of the 2019 The Amateur Championship at Portmarnock Golf Club with Mallow Golf Club members. Picture by Pat Cashman

But after consulting with government authorities, the GUI has requested all Republic of Ireland golfers entered for those events as well as the European Individual Amateur Championship in France (September 2-5 ) to withdraw and adhere to government advice against non-essential travel overseas.

“It’s very disappointing,” said Sugrue, the world No 14. “I was really looking forward to playing competitive golf again for the first time since March.

“But it is the same for everyone. I am not the only one who is going to be missing out. All you can do is control the controllable, and I have no control over the coronavirus or the decisions the government makes.

“Look, nobody belonging to me is seriously ill. It will come around again and we will get another crack of the whip.”

In line with advice from Sport Ireland, players from Northern Ireland who choose to travel for any or all of these events must not play golf in the Republic of Ireland within 14 days of their return to the island of Ireland – irrespective of their point of entry.

The GUI has also withdrawn its team from the European Young Masters in the Czech Republic, (Aug. 27-29), the European Seniors Team Championship in Austria (Sept. 1-4) and European Amateur Team Championship in the Netherlands (Sept 9-12).

Sugrue is still hoping to travel to New York with his caddie for the US Open at Winged Foot from September 17-20 although his friends and family will be unable to travel.

He’s keeping his fingers crossed that a dream appearance in the Masters will also be possible at Augusta National from November 12-15.

His next outing is likely to be the Mullingar Scratch Trophy, sponsored by  Sherry Fitzgerald Davitt & Davitt and Pinergy, from August 15-16, followed by the Mallow Scratch Cup on August 30.

The AIG Irish Amateur Close Championships at Rosapenna from October 9-11 is also on his radar.