Joe Lyons, who had a three stroke lead at Cartersville Country Club on Saturday, was ready to close the deal. The Irishman, who was six under par through 36 holes, knew he could close the deal, but he also knew that it would be difficult given the strength and location of the competition.
“One big selling point for us [Team Ireland] is that this event is a WAGR ranked event,” Lyons said Golfweekspan size=”font weight: 400 ;”>. “Our events don’t have such high rankings.” WAGR is important today and we don’t see as many WAGR-ranked races across the pond .”
Everyone in attendance knew that this would be a match for the ages, as the field rating was second only to the U.S. Senior Amateur.
The trio, which included Utah’s Shane McMillan as well as Oklahoma’s Michael Hughett traded blows all day long but couldn’t catch up to Lyons before the back nine. The pressure cooker of playing for a title, just past the half-way mark, led to some great golf.
All three players covered each other’s birdies on the par-3 13, which was well beyond 20 feet. McMillan would keep his putter hot at No. McMillan made a birdie on 14 from 60 feet away, giving him the lead after four holes.
McMillan droppedkicked left on the par-4 17, nestling against a large tree. He took an unplayable and came away with double, falling one behind Lyons going into the final hole. Hughett, meanwhile, made a late surge. The Oklahoman, calmly in control, clawed his own way to a tie at 4 under with Lyons as they walked up to the 18th hole.
All 3 men missed the fairway at the par-5 18th hole, so it’s anyone’s game.
Lyons stated that his second shot on 18 was probably the best shot he had hit all week. “I was on hardpan, but there was Bermuda around the ball. I had to dig it out.” I was hitting the rescue and I knew that I had to miss left, I could not miss it right .”
Lyons, who was about 235 yards away, smashed his 3-hybrid pin high, just to the left of the greenside bunker, giving himself an easy up-and down opportunity to win the championship.
McMillan made bogey on his second shot after double-crossing his ball, while Hughett smashed his third shot into the 12 foot range for his potentially tournament-winning birdie.
When lining up his pitch from about 25 yards away, Lyons did the following:
How could this not have gone in? Joe Lyons almost walked off the field! pic.twitter.com/ttkWMa50Kf
— Brayden Conover (@byBraydenC) October 8, 2023
After nearly making an eagle on his first shot, Lyons made a birdie and put the pressure back on Hughett.
Lyons said, “I thought I had holed it.” I thought Michael Hughes would hole his birdie putt afterward. It’s not that I wished him bad luck, but I did feel my heart slow down a bit when he missed .”
The 51-year old Irishman won his second victory in the United States, and first as a Senior.
What was Lyons’ favourite part of the entire week, besides winning the trophy? Cartersville Country Club’s Southern Hospitality and its volunteers.
Hats off to everyone at Cartersville. The welcome we received from the staff, volunteers and golf course was amazing. The greens are amazing. The week was great all around .”
