It's Jason Rackard's first major title.
Enniscorthy’s Jason Rackard delivered some sensational golf on Sunday to lay claim to his first ‘major’ title, the prestigious Mullingar Scratch Trophy.
“I’m absolutley buzzing, I can’t believe it” he said afterwards.
Thanks to everyone for all their messages. Also a special thanks to @mullingargc for being such great hosts and to @GUIGolf for getting everything ran off so smooth. Nice to get my first ‘W’!! https://t.co/HiBbZ0zroZ
— Jay Rackard (@jayrackard) August 17, 2020
Having opened the tournament with a two-under total on Saturday, the 31-year old blitzed the midlands track in just 65 (-7) strokes on Sunday morning before completing the win with a final round 71 (-1) in the afternoon.
This gave the Wexford golfer a ten-under winning total, two clear of Castle’s Robert Moran and four ahead of the Amateur Champ James Sugrue. Rackard also takes the lead in the Bridgestone Order of Merit with three events remaining.
“I probably played the best round of golf in my life this morning, then I started off a little bit cagey this afternoon I was two-over through nine and Rob (Moran) got close to me and it gave me a little bit of a boot. I put the head down and made birdie on 12. I hit a great 6 iron into six feet and holed the putt”.
From there, Rackard, a grandnephew of the hurling legends Nicky, Bobby and Billy Rackard, went on to birdie 14 and 16, enough to take the clubhouse lead from Moran who had earlier set the target for others to catch.
James Sugrue, the Amateur Champion, finished the tournament in third place. The Mallow golfer would be left to rue the nine bogies that blighted his three rounds.
Congratulations to Jason Rackard from Enniscorthy GC, the 2020 Mullingar Scratch Trophy Champion. Jason shot 70, 65, 71 to finish at -10 two shots ahead of Robert Moran from Castle GC. James Sugrue from Mallow GC came third at -6 pic.twitter.com/tI0L9Zam8w
— Mullingar Golf Club (@mullingargc) August 16, 2020
Final Scoring:
206 J Rackard (Enniscorthy), 70, 65, 71
208 R Moran (Castle), 71, 70, 67
210 J Sugrue (Mallow), 70, 69, 71
211 C Rafferty (Dundalk), 72, 69, 70; M Power (Kilkenny), 68, 71, 72
212 J Doherty (Carton House), 73, 72, 67
213 J Temple (Portmarnock), 70, 69, 74; A Fahy (Dun Laoghaire), 68, 73, 72; M Boucher (Carton House), 67, 74, 72
214 L Nolan (Galway), 74, 71, 69; J Mc Donnell (Forrest Little), 73, 71, 70; M Kennedy (Royal Dublin), 70, 73, 71
215 G Ward (Kinsale), 73, 68, 74; J Hill (Galgorm Castle), 70, 72, 73
216 L Grehan (Mullingar) 70,73,73; A Maguire (Laytown & Bettystown), 70, 72, 74
217 P O'Keeffe (Douglas), 72, 73, 72; D Shiel (Powerscourt), 71, 72, 74
218 J Hewitt (Tandragee), 74, 71, 73; J Whelan (Newlands), 71, 73, 74
219 J Byrne (Baltinglass), 74, 71, 74; C Ccampbell (Warrenpoint), 73, 72, 74; R Abernethy (Dun Laoghaire), 72, 74, 73; J McCabe (Roganstown), 71, 76, 72
220 D Keating (Seapoint), 74, 74, 72; D Kitt (Athenry), 73, 72, 75; A Ryan (Thurles), 70, 73, 77
221 T McLarnon (Massereene), 74, 74, 73; S Carter (Royal Dublin), 71, 77, 73; R McCrudden(Royal Portrush), 70, 73, 78
222 G Dunne (Co. Louth), 74, 75, 73; M McClean (Malone), 74, 74, 74; A McCormack (Castletroy), 74, 74, 74
224 E Sullivan (Carton House), 72, 78, 74
225 G Lappin (Belvoir Park), 74, 76, 75; D Morgan (Carton House), 74, 73, 78
226 S Murphy (Portumna), 74, 78, 74; S Hogan (Nenagh), 74, 77, 75; R Latimer (Knock), 71, 81, 74