The final round was a humdinger - 3 to start on 74 and 3 to start on 69 . Then unfortunately Noel Goggin ("wimp")was struck down by dodgy knees and two surgeries . So this is how it went:

 

Winner alright winner alright!!!

 

Drama, orange shorts, Offaly v Kerry v England – the final group had it all last Sunday………………………………………

 

The day started with 3 birdies chances on the first and yours truly battling for a solid par, in what was a sign of things to come, with Daly opening with an easy birdie to claim an early lead. M Walsh started with 5 straight solid pars to stay level with Daly through what was a quality played front nine.

 

With 17 points on the front 9 you would think I would be in contention but Walsh & Daly turned in 21 showing their best golf when it mattered most. And spare a thought for our 4th member Chalky White, who played an excellent front nine in 20 points which on a different day would have had him leading, but not to be with Walsh & Daly in such good form.

 

After an inconsistent start to back 9, I turned into an enthralled spectator in this ding dong back 9 battle between the 2 gladiators which truly went down to the very final putt. Walsh raced into a 2 shot lead playing some fine stuff midway through the back 9 and the Kerryman looked a beaten man, the memory of 82 coming back to haunt again. In dire situations like these, I decided it would be an appropriate time to bring out the carefully packed lunch I had so diligently made for everyone that morning - Chalky jumped at the opportunity to satisfy his hunger but the 2 gladiators were too focused to eat, their minds solely at the task in hand. Daly was focused on mounting a comeback and with 3 to play they were dead even lining up the spectacular finish.

 

Goggin arrived in time on 16 to witness the drama unfold and wonder what might have been, watching Walsh take a 1 shot lead going into the long par  17th – it was here folks that the decisive shot was played. Having just smashed a iron to 15 feet to secure some consolidation with a closest to the pin prize (or so I thought), I watched in awe as Daly struck a beautiful fade with his 5 wood inside me to 12 feet and converted the birdie 2 on the 197 yard uphill tester. It was here he turned a 1 shot deficit into a 2 shot lead – surely the Green Jacket was his…………………………………………………..

 

However, Offaly men are made of stern stuff and Walsh made a solid par on 18 for 3 points meaning Daly had to score a point to tie and secure the coveted gold. Daly played safe laying up in 2 & myself and Chalky then increased the pressure on his next shot by both shanking our approaches into the water, and a clearly put off Daly left his 4th shot short, & then sailed his 5th through the green. With a 30 feet downhill putt off the green, needing a 2 putt to win and a crowd on interested onlookers watching, Daly glided a beautiful putt to win inches of the hole to secure the coveted point and the glory of the 2015 green jacket.

 

It was an absolute pleasure to be part of the final  group and watch the great golf played under the finest sportsmanship, with all the glory on the line. Well done to Daly on his fine victory, to Walsh for his part in an incredible battle and with a points total that surely would have won in other years, and to Chalky for his great golf and for being the only man to enjoy my carefully prepared sandwich!

 

Until next year gents!!

 

a.       Who hit the most ridiculous good shot of the day? Daly’s tee shot on 17 under that pressure as good a birdie as you will see!

b.      What was the funniest thing that happened during the round? The smile on Chalky’s face when he saw a bag of 4 carefully prepared sandwiches midway through the back 9

c.       Who hit the most unlucky shot of the day? Walsh hit a beautiful 3 wood that sailed through the green on the Par 4 fifth leaving a very tricky up and down for birdie – yes a 3 wood!!

d.      Who played above what their handicap suggests and why? Everyone except me, some great golf under the most pressure.

e.      What was the most exciting thing that happened all day?  Seeing Daly in them orange shorts……………………………..

f.        What did you learn from your fellow competitors today? All serious competitors, playing their best when it mattered most

g.       Anything else you’d like to add that we should know? Walsh hit a 9 iron second shot to the par 5 9th  outrageous !!