The University of Colorado man won by three strokes after three birdies in a row on the back nine in the final round
O’Loughlin Keeps Cool In The Heat To Land Walton Heath Trophy
Daniel O’Loughlin from Nottingham turned a seven-shot deficit after 54-holes into a three-stroke victory to lift the impressive Michael Lunt Salver as the winner of the 15th edition of the Walton Heath Trophy.
The 21-year-old American collegiate player, who studies at the University of Colorado, began the final round in furnace-like conditions trailing in the wake of leader, Jacob Davies from Rhuddlan in Wales.
However, as the mercury edged towards 37 degrees centigrade, O’Loughlin embarked on a gruelling final round comeback. In the baking heat, the Ruddington Grange player refused to wilt, staying cool and calm before ultimately collecting the spoils with a closing round of 70 over the Old Course.
His four-round aggregate of 279, nine under par, secured victory by three shots from Frilford Heath’s Olly Huggins with Jordan Sundborg of Shanklin & Sandown in third.
As the UK was gripped by a heatwave which made playing conditions unpleasantly hot, O’Loughlin ground out his closing 70 to display a strong temperament on a testing day.
“I didn’t have any huge expectations going into the last round,” he admitted.
Related: Walton Heath Golf Club Old Course Review
“I tried not to think about anyone else. It was a case of ignoring the heat and the other golfers and just posting a number. I didn’t know it would end up being good enough to win.”
O’Loughlin’s chances of claiming the trophy seemed slim when he turned in one over par, but three consecutive birdies from the 14th, including a fine 15-footer at the 15th, paved the way for his winning total.
With mum, Caroline, lending moral support over the full 72-hole examination, O’Loughlin did the family proud by taking a title he describes as ‘the biggest of my career so far”.
O’Loughlin, who aims to graduate in geography from the University of Colorado next year before deciding whether to enter the professional arena, added: “I played here in the European Amateur two years ago and finished tenth, so I had a really good feel for Walton Heath. It’s obviously been borne out this week. It’s a great venue and I love the golf courses.”
Runner-up Huggins surged through the field with a third round 65 and closed with a 73 for a six under par total of 282. In just coming up short, the 20-year-old wasn’t quite able to complete a terrific ‘double’ for his club, Frilford Heath.
Last October, Eddie Pepperell from the same club captured the British Masters at Walton Heath, and for a few hours Huggins looked as if he might land the trophy until O’Loughlin’s late charge.
Huggins laughed: “I should be attending a wedding in Chepstow right now, but it looks as if I will be late. My girlfriend won’t be too pleased!”
Related: Walton Heath Golf Club New Course Review
However, the long wait was futile as O’Loughlin finished strongly to fend off Huggins and Sundborg, who carded a final 70 for a total of 283.
WALTON HEATH TROPHY: Final totals with four round scores (New and Old Courses):
279 – D O’Loughlin (Ruddington Grange) 69, 69, 71,70
282 – O Huggins (Frilford Heath) 70, 74, 65, 73
283 – J Sundborg (Shanklin & Sandown) 70, 77, 66, 70
284 – D Bradbury (Wakefield) 68, 69, 71, 76
J Davies (Rhuddlan)_67, 69, 66, 82
A Edwards-Hill (Chelmsford) 71, 76, 65, 72
285 - G Saunders (Lee-On-The-Solent) 72, 72, 67,74
J Bristow (Canterbury) 70, 69, 72, 74
C Strickland (Ham Manor) 74, 73, 70, 68
R Nevin-Wharton (Hartford) 70, 74, 69, 72
286 – J Hull (Hever Castle) 70, 72, 74, 70.
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