GOLF: Cutler takes Lytham title

PAUL Cutler was crowned first Irish winner of the Lytham Trophy, the amateur game's unofficial third major, since 1982 when he held off a formidable international field to prevail by three shots.

The 22-year-old from Portstewart went into the final round tied for the lead with Scot Kris Nicol and German's Alexis Szappanos and there was little between them at the turn.

Cutler, however, gained the ascendancy with a birdie at the 10th followed by another at the newly extended 601-yard 11th where he also achieved the feat in the second round.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He picked up another stroke at the 14th and had a four-shot cushion as he tackled the notoriously tough closing holes.

"I was happy to be in that position then," he said as he parred his way in, for a 71 for a four-over-par total as Nicol, who had been his only serious challenger over the inward half, settled for second place.

Cutler, who topped the Irish amateur order of merit last year, shot rounds of 74/66/73/71 for a four round total of 284. Nicol carded 72/68/73/74 for a four round total of 287.

Cutler will move up several notches from his 175th place in the amateur world rankings after succeeding where fellow Irishmen and good friends Shane Lowry - third in the previous two years - and Rory McIlroy, joint second in 2007, failed to emulate Martin Sludds in 1982.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A delighted team manager and captain Kevin Flanagan said: "This means a lot for Irish golf and follows the success of Niall Kearney in the Brabazon Trophy and Alan Dunbar in the St Andrews Links last year."

Related topics: