Dundalk’s Caolan Rafferty topped the qualifiers in the Connolly’s Audi West of Ireland Championship, but the jury is out on the new format for the opening amateur Major of the season.
The 29-year-old former Walker Cup player had enough in a one-over 72 to top the 54-hole qualifier by four strokes from Roscommon’s 19-year old boys’ international Thomas Higgins, who shot 73, and Bray’s Alan Fahy, who fired a best of the day 68 to make the top 16 with ease on one-over.
While it achieved its aim of a quality first-round draw today – the new format will have no effect on the event’s World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) rating – many felt three rounds was too much with just 16 to qualify and almost half the field players well out of contention after two rounds.
Of the 132-strong …
- April 18, 2022
