With his cropped hair and happy go lucky attitude Colm Moriarty could be another Sergio Garcia.

Booming drives and birdie blitzes are part and parcel of the make-up of this 22-year-old hotshot from Athlone. Like Garcia, Moriarty has no university career to fall back on if his plans to set the golfing world alight don't work out.

But that's where the comparisons end. While he's been a 'full-time' amateur for three years now, an uncapped member of the Irish National Panel and the flamboyant winner of the legendary Mullingar Scratch just a few days ago, Moriarty prefers to concentrate on his own game rather than worry about why so many other Irish hopefuls are failing to make the grade.

He just failed to play all four days in the Murphy's Irish Open in June, shooting a 68 in the first round before being blown off course by a 76 on the second day to miss the cut by two.

But despite all that he is still hell-bent on carving out a place for himself on the increasingly demanding European Tour. Next month he plans to begin the arduous journey towards a tour card when he tees up in the first stage of the tour school ­ PQ1.

"Hopefully I'll be in PQ2 and final qualifying," he said this week. "But if I don't make it in Europe this year I can always go to Canada or Asia or wherever. I just want to get experience and get out there."

A likeable individual with an infectious smile, Moriarty finished 19 under par in Mullingar to join Philip Walton and Darren Clarke on the list of illustrious winners of one of Ireland's premier 72 hole stroke play events. Matchplay, however, isn't his cup of tea and he prefers the scientific aspect of card and pencil golf.

"At big amateur events I always do well in the strokeplay qualifying and then get beaten in the first round or whatever. That's why I prefer strokes because it's what I'll be playing when I turn pro. I much prefer 72 holes strokeplay and I've played well in those events in Britain over the past few seasons and haven't missed a cut in a strokeplay event since 1996."

With a stroke average of 70.8 this year, including his Murphy's Irish Open exploits, Moriarty hopes to maintain that average right until the end of the season. "If I can shoot 70 every time then I'll cruise through qualifying, but we'll have to wait and see how it goes," he said.

For now though, it's a question of survival. Supported by his parents, Moriarty receives help with equipment from Callaway although he recently changed to Mizuno irons, which he used to great effect on his way to a five shot, win over Noel Fox. By shooting rounds of 68, 66 and 63 in the rain-reduced event he finally clinched a major amateur title to go with his Munster Boys crown of 1998.

A tireless practiser, he took lesson from 'putting doctor' Harold Swash at the Lytham trophy in an effort to hone his game for the most important summer of his life.

"I'm a good chipper but putting has been my weakest point in the past. That's why I went to Harold, because I want to be the best player I can be but the level on tour is just phenomenal. Tidiness is what it's all about ­ not throwing away shots."

At Fota, Moriarty was three under after 11 holes but missed a rake of holeable putts on the way in. "I guess I could have shot a 65 or 64 and let too many get by from eight foot range. In the second round we all struggled in the threeball but Freddy Henge and the other guy shot 71s and I shot a 76 so that's the difference right now," he admitted.

Faster greens, deeper greenside rough and even trickier pin placements sort out the top amateurs from the pros. But Moriarty is ready for the challenge.

"I don't have any heroes. I just want to do my own thing and play my own game. Sure, you have to admire Harrington and Clarke but that's it. I'm not copying anybody," he said. If all goes to plan, the young midlanders will have his own copycats in double quick time.

++++++

Philip Walton won't be in the European Ryder Cup side at the Belfry in September but the Malahide man has proved that he's still a champion.

A Ryder Cup hero for Europe at Oak Hill in 1995, Walton donated tickets for the big matchplay showdown to help raise funds for 19 year-old Neil Lane, who suffered a stroke just five weeks ago.

Zimbabwe born Lane, who is an assistant professional at the Island golf club near Donabate in Co. Dublin, has been unable to work since collapsing in the clubhouse and is recovering.

Thanks to the fund-raising efforts of Walton, members of the Island Golf Club and club professional Kevin Kelliher, over £25,000 has already been raised to help Lane on the road to recovery.

++++++

British Amateur champion Michael Hoey is winding up for his US Masters debut, a full nine months before he gets to Augusta. The Belfast boy, who wowed the professionals with a spectacular final round 64 in the Loch Lomond World Invitational just four weeks ago, is ready to launch major assault on the pro circuit while remaining an amateur.

"I know I could have won around £40,000 for my finish at Loch Lomond but I'll be staying an amateur until after the Masters. I just want to play in as many pro tournaments as I can," he said.

Thanks to his victory at Prestwick the 22 year old could play in as many as a dozen professional tournaments between now and his first trip down Magnolia Lane.

++++++

The Walker Cup gets under way today (Saturday) with Great Britain and Ireland bidding to retain the trophy for the first time on American soil.

++++++

Lancôme Irish Close champion Alison Coffey has no plans to tee it up in the Waterford Crystal Ladies Irish Open at Faithlegg. The Vagliano Trophy and Curtis Cup player hasn't been invited to play in the premier event from August 24-26.

Said Alison: "I've heard nothing. I don't know if I will be here or away then but either way I have no plans to turn professional."

But former Ireland team mate Suzie O'Brien, who turned professional at he end of last season, is set to get her first start of the season in the £100,000 event.

Top

© Brian Keogh 2001

Back