Dobbin holds nerve to claim Mullingar Scratch Trophy
By Caomh Breen Allen
Fionn Dobbin etched his name alongside some of Irish golf’s finest as he held his nerve to birdie the final hole and win the 63rd Mullingar Scratch Trophy.
The Malone golfer arrived on bank holiday Monday tied at the top with Thomas Abom (Edmondstown), and in challenging conditions at Mullingar Golf Club, the 19-year-old produced a composed final day to secure the biggest win of his amateur career.
Rounds of 70, 67, 72 and 74 saw Dobbin finish on five-under-par, one clear of Dylan Holmes (Greystones), who surged into contention with a superb closing 67. With the tension mounting, Dobbin knew a birdie was needed at the last to avoid a playoff, and he delivered.
“I’m over the moon to win,” said Dobbin.
“I thought I had it won after 15, 16 was obviously not the greatest, but happy to have a putt on the last to win and I knew I needed to do it so it was good to come through in the end.
“I checked (the scoring) coming up the 18th just after I hit my tee shot. He (Holmes) had a great finish so put the pressure on me. I knew I needed to birdie the last, so I’m delighted to come through.”
Dobbin began the final round one shot ahead of Lorcan O’Connor (Edmondstown), and the pair remained neck and neck through the front nine, but a double bogey on 10 from O’Connor opened the door, and Dobbin capitalised to build a four-shot lead.
“Thru 10 and in the early stages of the back nine I was kind of just trying to tick off the holes,” said Dobbin.
“Make pars, just to get through without anything crazy because obviously tough enough conditions so pars are your friend.”
A birdie on 12 followed by some excellent par saves on 14 and 15 saw the Lisburn native hold his lead but just as he looked in control, a double bogey on 16 and a bogey on 17 gave Holmes an opportunity.
The West of Ireland champion played flawlessly down the stretch, firing five birdies in his last eight holes to set the clubhouse target at four-under. With the title on the line, Dobbin stood on the 18th tee needing birdie.
“I just had a little chat with him (Dad) just saying you need to birdie the last,” said Dobbin.
“He said it’s fine just stay in there, each shot as it comes, and it turned out alright.”
Dobbin found the fairway, left his approach just short of the green, and chipped to six feet. He held his nerve, rolled in the putt, and celebrated with a fist pump and an emotional embrace with his father.
“Unbelievable,” said Dobbin.
“Went through a little rough patch with my golf for a few months in America so really happy now. As summer has went on, I’ve got better and better so good to just cap off and go back to America with a win.”