It might only be our third year of coming to Galgorm Castle for the Northern Ireland Open in Association with Sphere Global and Ulster Bank but the event has already thrown up its fair share of great moments. Here are five of the best:
1. Michael Hoey arrives in a Lamborghini
In 2013, in its inaugural year, the Northern Ireland Open was keen to make a strong first impression,and it certainly put the wheels in motion from the off.
Michael Hoey, Tournament Ambassador and fresh off a fifth European Tour title at the M2M Russian Open, turned everyone’s head as he rolled into the car park in a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera LP570-4.
The supercar, with a top speed of 202mph, was a week-long loan from Supercar-Experiences, one of the tournament’s sponsors, and Hoey was happy to share the fun with others.
“It is pure adrenaline,” he said. “I must have taken ten people out for a spin and the adrenaline rush you get from driving it is unbelievable.”
2. Beef’s hole-in-one
These days Andrew Johnston, if not quite in Miguel Angel Jimenez’s league, is developing quite a reputation for holes-in-one.
First came his ace at the 2012 Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, holing his tee shot on the 168 yard 11that Castle Stuart to win 168 bottles of Laurent Perrier champagne.
Johnston followed that up this year by holing in one at the BMW PGA Championship, watching his ball disappear into the cup on the 10thhole at Wentworth to earn himself a brand new BMW M4.
In between the Englishman continued his penchant for the ace at the Northern Ireland Open, on the seventh hole of Johnston’s first round in 2013, though sadly the Englishman did not earn a glamour prize on that occasion!
3. Huizing’s grandstand finish
Fittingly, the first year of the tournament managed to produce a grandstand finish as Daan Huizing and Oliver Wilson needed a 73rdhole to separate them.
Watched by a crowd of more than 8,000, Dutchman Huizing took a six shot lead into the final round before a rocky opening nine holes saw him in a four-way tie at the top.
Englishman Wilson birdied the 17thto set the clubhouse target and when Huizing lost his drive on the 18thhe had to hole a 25 foot bogey putt to make a play-off, which he nervelessly drained.
Then on the first play-off hole, Huizing’s drive split the fairway while Wilson found a bunker, Huizing taking victory with a birdie to become the first ever Northern Ireland Open champion - see highlights below.
4. Hoey does it for the kids
Last year Michael Hoey was back at Galgorm Castle as Tournament Ambassador, though sadly without a supercar in tow.
Instead, he proved his drive for nurturing young talent by treating some of Northern Ireland’s finest young golfers to a masterclass on the practice range.
Organised by the Ulster branch of the Golfing Union of Ireland, the clinic helped raise awareness of the success of amateur golf in Northern Ireland and inspire the next generation, some of whom are in the field for this week’s event.
5. Lagergren’s last-gasp up and down
Just like in 2013, last year’s tournament had drama to the very end as Joakim Lagergren clinched his maiden Challenge Tour title in style.
The Swede led by six going into the final round but faltered early on to allow Frenchman Adrian Bernadet to make five birdies and tie for the lead.
Bernadet set the clubhouse lead on 12 under par and Lagergren knew a birdie on the last would seal a one shot victory.
When his second to the par five 18thfound thick rough on the edge of the green, a play-off looked to be his most likely option, but a cute chip and nerveless eight foot clutch putt meant the 22 year old made the birdie he needed for his first professional win - see highlights below.
