WORLD STROKEPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 - AN IRISH WINNER
John Walsh of the Collins club in Cork won at Tambre. Walsh fired a final round of 48 for a 72 hole aggregate of 198 (-18). Walsh finished two strokes clear of the ebullient Australian James Rogerson. In a wonderful battle for the ladies championship, holder Chrissie Byrne (Ireland) held off Dutch player Esther De Schiffart (-11 to -10). Britain's John Deeble closed with a 52 to be third overall on 201, one ahead of Josep Martinez of Catalonia. Fifth on 203 was co first round leader Sebastian Franco (Galicia). The local player defeated Irishmen John Ross Crangle, Frank Dineen and 54 hole leader Liam O'Donovan on the tiebreaker. Catalan Amador Rodriguez took the senior championship with a four under 212 total.
John Walsh is one of the most decorated players in Pitch and Putt. Irish Strokeplay champion in 1997 and Irish Matchplay winner in 2002, John was third in the 2009 World Strokeplay and also third two years ago in the European Strokeplay. He is a World Cup winner and a European championship winner with Ireland and previously won in Galicia - the 2012 Galician Open.
Final leaderboard here
TV coverage on Galician TV
Radio coverage on Cork 96 FM via www.radiopitchandputt.com
Liam Donovan of the Bruff club in Co. Limerick Ireland commenced Sunday's final round two strokes clear on 16 under. Liam's closest pursuer was 2011 European Strokeplay runner-up J. R. Crangle (Ireland). Australian James Rogerson was on 13 under, a mark he shared with co first round leaders Frank Dineen (Ireland) and Britain's John Deeble. John Walsh (Ireland) was still in contention on -12. Ladies title holder Chrissie Byrne was completely dominating the ladies championship on 10 under, although Dutch player Esther De Schiffart had given herself a chance with a stunning third round 45.
54 hole leaderboard
Final Round pairings
A superb second round 44 gave Liam O'Donovan a two shot halfway lead at Tambre. The Bruff, Ireland player was on 13 under par 95 and Liam was two strokes clear of fellow Irishman Frank Dineen, who added a 49 to his opening 48. Two more Irish players, Eamon Gibney and John Ross Crangle, were tied third on 98 alongside John Deeble (GB). Holder Fernando Cano (Catalonia) and Ireland's John Walsh, who was second in 2009 were poised on 101 and 99 respectively. Chrissie Byrne, the ladies title holder,was on six under par, five clear of Dutch rival Herma Kleinlugtenbeld.
Scoreboard here
Temperatures in the high thirties at Tambre for the first round of the 2013 World Strokeplay championship. Four players were tied for the 18 hole lead on 48 (-6) - the Galicians Marcos Gomez and Sebastian Franco, Irishman Frank Dineen and the Briton John Deeble. Holder Fernando Cano (Catalonia) was three shots back. 2009 ladies champion Chrissie Byrne (Ireland) shot a 52 to be three clear of Herma Kleinlugtenbeld (Holland).
Scoreboard here
Saturday's pairings here
The opening ceremony took place in blazing sunshine at Tambre. Following an impressive display of local music and dance, the local mayor addressed the competitors and gallery. Then the II World Strokeplay was declared officially open by FIPPA President Frank Smith.
See the first round pairings here
See the final list of qualified players here
Read a championship preview here
See the event scorecard here
Meet the event referee Antonio Vasconcelos here
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