SOUTH OF IRELAND CHAMPIONSHIP:OLD CONNA'S Mark Sheridan was literally a happy camper after he saw off tenacious Hungarian teenager Daniel Kovari in a titanic struggle to make the last 16 of the South of Ireland Amateur Open here.
The 36-year old Dubliner, who is spending the week in his camper van in the club carpark, beat the 17-year-old surprise package from Budapest with a par four at the 21st to clinch a clash with Athlone’s Kelan McDonagh in this morning’s fifth round.
“Boy that was tough,” said Sheridan, who was four up with eight to play before being dragged into extra holes by the Hungarian amateur champion. “He was like a pitbull terrier. He just wouldn’t let go.”
Kovari is playing in Lahinch on the recommendation of Paris-based Kerryman Tom O’Driscoll, who saw him claim a top-10 finish in last year’s European Young Masters.
A 3 and 2 winner over Hermitage’s Ross Kenny in the morning, he looked certain to make his exit when he fell four down at an overcast and breezy Lahinch, before launching a stunning comeback and holing a 20-footer for birdie at the 18th to force extra holes.
The 19th and 20th were halved in pars before Sheridan struck the killer blow at the 21st by hitting a 200-yard rescue club from the rough into the heart of the green.
Stunned by this, Kovari got too much draw on his approach from the centre of the fairway, overhit his chip to a tricky pin and three-putted from just off the green to lose the match of the day.
Irish Close champion Dara Lernihan is the biggest name left in the top half of the draw and remains on course for a rare Close-South double, last achieved by US Open winner Graeme McDowell in 2000.
In the bottom, title favourite Pat Murray came back from two down at the turn to beat The Heath’s Brian Keenan one up and set up a clash with West Waterford left-hander Mark Shanahan.
Defending champion Robbie Cannon of Laytown and Bettystown lost 3 and 2 to South County’s Shane McGlynn, and Milltown teenager Liam Harnett surprised many by reaching the last 16.
The 16-year-old Irish Boys international, a son of Milltown club professional John, beat Cahir Park’s Emmet Leahy with a birdie at the 20th before eliminating Naas’ Ross McCormack 7 and 6.
“I’ve been hitting it nicely but to be honest, I didn’t expect to get this far,” said the 6ft 4in Dubliner. “I’m running out of clean golf shirts at this stage so hopefully my mum can come down with some fresh clothes.”
