Moynihan now knows his game is up there with the best

The benefit accrued by Gavin Moynihan extends beyond the financial reward of a cheque for €26,800 in finishing in a tie for 36th place at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at The K Club.

It could have been even more lucrative as his ball came to rest within two inches of a hole-in-one at the par three 12th on the Friday, for which the prize was a €145,000 car.

Playing in his first tournament on the European Tour as a professional, eight months after Walker Cup success, the 21-year-old will draw huge confidence from the manner in which his game stood up to the scrutiny of both his peers and the demanding Arnold Palmer layout.

In six tournaments on the Challenge Tour to date he banked €2,932, so the stipend this week is far from inconsequential. Yet it is the opportunity to hold his game up to the mirror of the elite tour, and take satisfaction from the reflection of his performance, that is arguably the greater reward.

He intimated as much when dwelling on his experiences.

“It was a great learning experience. I learnt a lot, playing with a few great players like Rafa Cabrero Bello on Saturday. Richie (Ramsay), who I played with in the final round has won a few times on tour.

Confidence

“The fact that I could keep up with them off the tee gives you a lot of confidence. Having Colin (Byrne) on the bag helped me big time; his experience was great. I played well all week, well maybe not my best on Saturday, but I played really nicely again today (Sunday).

“I gave myself a lot of chances, missed a few coming in. It’s the way I have been playing all year; I just putted a bit better this week. It was great, a really enjoyable week (and I was) very relaxed. There was no pressure having got the invite. It was a case of going out there, see how you get on, no expectations.”

He had come close to making the cut at previous Irish Opens as an amateur; it helped with self-belief. “I was close, missed cuts by one or two shots. It was great to make the cut and shoot a good one today.

“The weather was tough. The course was seriously long. I was hitting five irons and six irons into the par fours and on the par fives I wasn’t getting there in two (shots).

“It’s about getting out here, getting the card, just making sure that I am here full-time, not just getting invites: that’s career goal, get a European Tour card.

“I definitely know I can play. The trouble is getting the card, going to Q-School, going on the Challenge Tour, getting an invite and having a good week.

“I know I can compete with everyone. I am only a pro eight months so I have plenty of time left.”

He also understands the areas of his game that require refinement. “From 10 feet in (on the greens) is the biggest difference. That’s where I have been struggling a bit: 90 per cent of them (European Tour players) are very, very good from that distance. Ball-striking wise I am definitely there. I have been hitting it well all year, it’s about tidying up a couple of things in my game.”

His next outing on the Challenge Tour is not until June 23rd in the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Spey Golf Club. The money that he earned during the Irish Open will count towards the Race to Dubai Rankings – he debuts at 181 on that list – but not towards the secondary European circuit.

Down-time

Having played three weeks straight of tournament golf, and “played golf every single day since the start of May”, he is looking forward to down-time and the chance to catch up with friends and family.

“I’m quite tired, especially with these rain delays. It was like this last week in Italy (Challenge Tour) last week. I want to get away from golf for a day or two, sleep in and maybe have a few beers. I’ll play a few casual games in The Island in the evening time, nine holes. That’ll be mainly it.”

He has earned the rest.