Millicent golfer Brian Doran said he learned plenty in defeat as he bounced back from a heartbreaking loss in the final of the South of Ireland to seal the Mullingar Scratch Trophy.
Doran came into the Bank Holiday Monday tied at the top of the standings with David Howard (Fota Island) but he piled on the pressure down the back nine in Rounds 3 and 4 and it was enough to secure a landmark win.
The 28-year-old was on a three-week break from his job in Pfizer and on the day before he returns, he put his name down in history after rounds of 68, 71, 70 and 68 for a -11 total and a two-shot victory over Gavin O’Neill (Malahide).
“Unbelievable, class. It’s nice to go one better than last week,” said Doran.
“I’ve learned a lot in the last few weeks from inter-pros, the East, and then last week. Patrick (Adler) played class and I just couldn’t get the second hole or just that bit of momentum.
“This morning I started off poorly in the front nine, sloppy golf and I just stuck with it, was patient. Two good back nines in both rounds.
“It was actually a nice birdie on 17 this evening, I bogeyed that hole three times. First time I hit the green this week was in the last round.”
Ross Latimer (Clandeboye) had the best of the Round 3 scoring with seven birdies and an eagle on his scorecard, as part of a brilliant 67.
However, it was Doran who continued his fine form at the head of the standings. He struggled on the front nine but five birdies on the way in were enough for a round of 70 and -7 total. He took a two-shot lead into the afternoon ahead of O’Neill and Howard.
It was O’Neill and David Reddan (Nenagh) who made the early move in the final round while Howard began to slip back and Doran maintained his lead at the summit.
O’Neill would push on and register a 68 but he never had enough to cut the gap to Doran. Instead, the Millicent man shot four birdies from the 12th onwards to put his name on the trophy alongside some Major winners.
“It’s unbelievable, it just hasn’t sunk in yet. I don’t think it will for a while,” said Doran.
“But to be on the trophy with Lowry and McIlroy, it’s unbelievable.”
View the final scoring here