GOLF: THE SUN finally made an appearance at Rosses Point yesterday to reveal a dazzling Diamond – Harry Diamond that is – who claimed the 2012 Radisson Blu-sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open Championship with a one-hole win over Stephen Healy (Claremorris) in their matchplay final.
The Belvoir Park man – best pal of a certain Rory McIlroy – followed the 2011 US Open champion onto “the West” roll-of-honour with a hard-fought victory at the illustrious Co Sligo links.
“I’m just relieved to get through,” said Diamond after his triumph on the 18th green. “I didn’t play well at all this afternoon. I was changing swing thought every hole basically, trying to find something; just couldn’t get it going. Luckily I putted well, that was the main thing. My putter kept me in it. Two great putts on 17 and another two on the last.”
Losing finalist Healy – who had aimed to bring the crown westwards for the first time since Galway’s Joe Lyons triumphed in 2007 – was philosophical in defeat. “I’m disappointed. I hit good putts but they didn’t go in but I suppose that happens.”
Conceding a penalty shot at the 12th hole didn’t help Healy’s cause either: “I recovered well but I didn’t make that (putt on 12) either,” he added.
The decider had swung to and fro – with the players level on holes 14 and 15 – before Healy missed a 12-foot putt on hole 16 to hand Diamond the advantage which he held to the finish.
Earlier in the day, in the second semi-final, Diamond squeezed past Co Louth’s Simon Ward by just one hole. Before that Healy had accounted for Rory McNamara (Headfort, Meath) on a 2 and 1 margin in their last four pairing.
West of Ireland results
Semi-finals:H Diamond bt S Ward (Co Louth) 1 hole; S Healy R McNamara (Headfort) 2 and 1.
Final: H Diamond (Belvoir Park) bt S Healy (Claremorris) 1 hole.
