Kinsale’s John Murphy fired rounds of 67 and 68 on his professional debut to win the Clutch Pro Tour’s Northern Ireland Open by four shots and earn a place in the European Tour’s ISPS HANDA World Invitational.

The former Walker Cup star won on five-under-par at Cairndhu and will be joined at Galgorm Castle from July 29 to August 1 by Ballymena’s Dermot McElroy who edged out The K Club’s Liam Grehan at the second extra hole for the second spot in the $1.5 m event after they tied on one-under.

Scores

Murphy has turned professional with JMC Sport and plans to make his Challenge Tour debut in the Open de Bretagne from June 24-27.

The 22-year old had an impressive amateur career, winning the St. Andrews Links Trophy and four NCAA events with the University of Louisville as well as the prestigious Byron Nelson award in 2020, securing him an invitation into the 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour.

He joins a stable that already features South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen, Jonathan Yates, Tom McKibbin and Sweden’s Sebastian Söderberg.

JMC Sport’s Emma O’Driscoll said: “John is a talented player and a fantastic role model for the game of golf. I have known him and his coach for a long time, I am excited to work with John and be part of this journey with him.”