Murphy makes Walker Cup selection move; Sara Byrne's 64; Lauren Walsh 14th

John Murphy. Picture: Todd Drexler/SESPORTSMEDIA.COM

Kinsale’s John Murphy hopes to play Walker Cup this year and he certainly can’t be accused of not giving it 100 per cent after he finished second in the V1 Sports General Hackler Championship to clinch his third top-10 from his last four starts.

A returning senior with the University of Louisville, Murphy closed with a two-under 69 to set the clubhouse target on nine-under at The Dunes Golf & Beach Club in Myrtle Beach. Scores

He was overtaken by North Florida’s Nick Gabrelcik whose 69 gave him a two-shot win on 11-under as Max Kennedy followed rounds of 81 and 75 with an even-par 71 to tie for 54th

Whether Murphy makes the Walker Cup team that will do battle at Seminole in May remains to be seen but he’s certainly making a strong case for inclusion in the 10-man side.

Ireland has four players in the GB&I panel with Mark Power, Tom McKibbin and Caolan Rafferty also strongly contending for places.

Despite not playing since last December’s Palmer Cup, Rafferty would be automatically selected if he remains one of the top-tow GB&I players on WAGR.

However, he now looks likely to be bumped out of the No 2 spot by Alex Fitzpatrick, who won the Valspar Collegiate by three strokes yesterday to clinch a place in the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship (April 29-May 2). Scores

Power, who played Seminole last week, tied for 16th to continue his charge up the world rankings.

In women’s golf, Cork’s Sara Byrne shot the joint lowest round in the history of the Miami Hurricanes, making seven birdies and an eagle in an eight-under, 64 to finish tied 30th in the Briar's Creek Invitational in South Carolina. Scores

Meanwhile, Lauren Walsh continued her superb run of form with a tie for 14th in the Valspar Augusta Invitational. Scores

Louisville’s Mairead Martin tied for 64th making an eagle and eight birdies to finish on 10-over.