Irish Amateur Open Championship – 2026 Preview & Results

Sunday 10th May 2026

Round 4

Patrick KEELING (IRL), 21, birdied his 72nd hole to secure a 1-shot victory in the Flogas-sponsored Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship.

After a fine up and down, which included a winning 12 foot putt, from behind Seaport’s home green the Roganstown golfer finished with a 277 (-11) total.

Photo: Golf Ireland / Inpho / Laszlo Geczo 

The reigning East of Ireland champion David HOWARD (IRL) finished 2nd on -10 with Stuart GREHAN (IRL) 3rd, on final round count-back, and GERARD DUNNE (IRL) 4th after they both finished on -9. Greg HOLMES (ENG) who finished 4th last year had to settle for 5th this.

Final Results (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – 2026 Irish Amateur Open Results

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Saturday 9th May 2026

Round 3

Patrick KEELING (IRL) will take a 1-shot lead over Darragh FLYNN (IRL) and Thomas ABOM (IRL) into tomorrow’s final round after he shot a 73 in the third round. In much tougher conditions Flynn moved nicely up into tied 2nd place with a well timed 70 whilst Abom had to settle for a 75.

Gerard DUNNE (IRL), 73, and Stephen COULTER (IRL), 75, are tied 4th on -7.

Nine further players are tied 6th 0n -4 but now appear too far away to challenge for the title.

52 players made the top 50 and ties 54 hole cut at Seapoint which fell at 219 (+3).

Round 3 leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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Friday 8th May 2026

Round 2

Thomas ABOM (IRL) shot a second round 64, which included a hole-in-one on the 17th, to move into the lead at the Irish Amateur Open on -11.

Thomas Abom’s Round 2 Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

However, Patrick KEELING (IRL) took the round of the day with a sensational Seapoint course record 10-under 62. He finished the day tied 2nd with overnight leader Stephen COULTER (IRL) on -10.

Patrick Keeling’s Round 2 Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Gerard DUNNE (IRL) and Liam ABOM (IRL) are tied 4th on -8 with Dylan SHAW-RADFORD (ENG), Darragh FLYNN (IRL), David REDDAN (IRL), Tom HUGHES (ENG) and defending champion Stuart GREHAN (IRL) all 2-shots further back heading into the weekend.

After 36 holes 33 players are under par with a further 16 on even par.

Round 2 leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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Thursday 7th May 2026

Round 1

Stephen COULTER (IRL) took the early lead at Seapoint with a sparkling 8-under 64 in Round 1.

Stephen Coulter’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

After an opening back nine of 30 Liam ABOM (IRL) ultimately had to settle for a 65 (-6) and 2nd place.

Liam Abom’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Defending champion Stuart GREHAN (IRL) is 3rd, well placed on -5, with Mark MULDOON (IRL), Gerard DUNNE (IRL), Thomas ABOM (IRL), John DOYLE (IRL) and Tom HUGHES (ENG) all tied 4th on -3 after 18 holes.

29 players finished Day 1 with an under par score.

Round 1 leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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Preview

The Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship, sponsored by Flogas, starts on Thursday 7th May 2026 at Seapoint Golf Links near Drogheda, County Louth on Ireland’s east coast.

It will be the 87th playing of this prestigious Championship and the second successive year that it has been staged at Seapoint.

Seapoint’s 2nd Hole (Photo: Seaport Golf Links)

Format

Organised by Golf Ireland the Irish Amateur Open is a 72-hole stroke play event played over four days.

18 holes will be played on each of the first three days before a top 50 and ties cut is made. A final 18 holes will then be played by the leading competitors on Sunday.

A tie for the Championship will be resolved by a sudden death play-off. All other ties will be resolved by a last eighteen and then last nine countback.

The Irish Amateur Open Champion Golfer is awarded a superb silver trophy. Irish winners are allowed to take the trophy back to their Club for the year whereas overseas winners must return it to the organisers after the prize presentation.

Players

132 golfers will contest the 2026 Championship with 111 of these being from Ireland.

I expect the following players to do well (in alphabetical order): Mark CADDEN (IRL), Quentin CAREW (IRL), Paul COUGHLAN (IRL), John DOYLE (IRL), Gerard DUNNE (IRL),  Stuart GREHAN (IRL), Tom HUGHES (ENG), Dylan KEATING (IRL), Matt MCCLEAN (IRL), Jack MCDONNELL (IRL) and Dylan SHAW-RADFORD (ENG).

Like all events played before June the field quality isn’t helped by the large number of GB&I and European players now playing on the U.S. college circuit. This year the inclusion of the Austrian International Amateur Championship, which starts on 8th April, on the newly established European Amateur Order of Merit hasn’t helped either.

Tee Times

Click here to view the – 2026 Irish Amateur Open Tee Times

Players will tee off, from the 1st and 10th tees, between 8.00am and 2.50pm in three-balls on each of the first three days so changes in the weather and wind speeds throughout each day could play a big part in scoring.

Course

Seapoint is a modern championship links course designed by Des Smyth in the early 1990s and opened for play in June 1993.

Located adjacent to Termonfeckin Beach the course will this week play at 7,041 yards and to a par of 72.

Over the last 30 years it has hosted a number of professional events, the Irish Amateur Close Championship in 2014 (JR Galbraith) as well as last year’s Irish Amateur Open (Stuart Grehan).

Weather Forecast (as at Thursday 7th May)

The weather forecast for the competition looks good – cool but dry with moderate winds expected.

Thu 7th May – Cloudy / Wind 10 mph S / Temp. Min. 8°C / Max. 13°C.
Fri  8th May – Cloudy / Wind 9 mph NE / Temp. Min. 7°C / Max. 12°C.
Sat  9th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 14 mph N / Temp. Min. 6°C / Max. 13°C.
Sun 10th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 12 mph N / Temp. Min. 6°C / Max. 12°C.

The 2025 Irish Amateur Open Championship

Stuart Grehan (Photo: Golf Ireland / Infosports)

Stuart GREHAN (IRL) beat Lewy HAYWARD (ENG) on the third play-off hole to win the 2025 Flogas-sponsored Irish Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint Golf Links. Both players finished the 72 holes on 273 (-15) after bogey-free final rounds of 66 and 69 respectively.

Defending champion Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) finished 3rd on -13, Greg HOLMES (ENG) -11 4th, Matt ROBERTS (WAL) -11 5th and Gerry DUNNE (IRL) -11 6th on final round count back.

Final Results (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – 2025 Irish Amateur Open Results

History, Past Winners and Records

The Irish Amateur Open Championship was first played in 1892 with early winners including the English amateur greats John Ball and Harold Hilton.

Between 1894 and 1901 (6 years) the competition was played as part of the Irish Championship Meeting alongside a professional tournament.

The Championship was not played during both World Wars.

It was also not played between 1960 and 1994 due to a lack of interest from overseas players amidst concerns over safety.

Prior to 1958 it was a match play event but since returning to the amateur calendar in 1995 it has been 72 holes of stroke play.

To view a list of past winners click here – Irish Amateur Open Past Champions

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2026, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.

Irish Amateur Open Championship – 2025 Preview & Results

Sunday 11th May 2025

Round 4

Stuart GREHAN (IRL) beat Lewy HAYWARD (ENG) on the third play-off hole to win the Flogas-sponsored Irish Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint Golf Links.

Both players finished the 72 holes on 273 (-15) after they both impressively produced bogey-free rounds under the pressure of the final day; recently reinstated amateur Grehan, who plays out of neighbouring County Louth, a 66 and Hayward a 69.

Defending champion Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) finished as he started with the low round of the day; his 65, which included eight birdies, lifting him up the leaderboard into 3rd place.

Matt ROBERTS (WAL) backed up his tied 3rd result at last week’s Lytham Trophy with a 4th place finish in Ireland.

Greg HOLMES (ENG) -11 finished in 5th and Gerry DUNNE (IRL) -11 6th on final round count back.

The average Round 4 score was 72.10 with 34 of the remaining 59 players shooting par or better.

Final Results (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Click here to view the – 2025 Irish Amateur Open Results

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Saturday 10th May 2025

Round 3

Lewy HAYWARD (ENG) and Gerry DUNNE (IRL) both recorded 2-under par 70’s in the third round at Seapoint to give themselves a 2-shot lead heading into tomorrow’s final round. They will both start the day on 204 (-12) after strong finishes; Hayward birdied his closing two holes whilst Dunne eagled the 18th.

Matt ROBERTS (WAL) enjoyed the second best round of the day with his 67, moving into 3rd alone on 206 (-10).

Matt Roberts’ 54 hole Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Archie DAVIES (WAL) and Stuart GREHAN (IRL) are tied 4th on -9 with Greg HOLMES (ENG) two shots further back in 6th place.

Overnight co-leader and defending champion Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) will start the final round in tied 7th after he shot a disappointing 76 to probably fall out of contention on -6.

The field found scoring slightly harder on Day 3 with the average score being 73.94, although more players, 51, shot par or better.

Shot of the day came from Conor HICKEY (IRL) who recorded a hole in one on the par 3 187 yard 17th.

59 players made the top 50 and ties 54 hole cut which fell at 219 (+3).

Round 3 Leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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Friday 9th May 2025

Round 2

Lewy HAYWARD (ENG), Gerry DUNNE (IRL) and Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) share the 36 hole lead on 134 (-10).

Hayward, alongside Lewis GOWDY (IRL), produced the joint best round of the day with a blemish free 7-under 65.

Lewy Hayward’s 36 Hole Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

Stuart GREHAN (IRL) -9 is 4th, Archie DAVIES (WAL) & Greg HOLMES (ENG) -5 tied 5th, Lewis GOWDY (IRL) -7 6th and David HOWARD (IRL) & Colm CAMPBELL (IRL) -6 tied 8th.

The average Round 2 score was 73.71, slightly higher than yesterday, with 49 competitors shooting par or better at Seapoint Golf Links.

Round 2 Leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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Thursday 8th May 2025

Round 1

Defending champion Matthew MCCLEAN (IRL) produced a course record 8-under 64 at Seapoint to take the early lead in the Irish Amateur Open.

Matthew McClean’s Round 1 Scorecard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

On a low scoring day Charlie MCDONNELL (IRL) -7 is 2nd, Stuart GREHAN (IRL) & Caelan COLEMAN (IRL) -6 tied 3rd and Colm CAMPBELL (IRL), Gerry DUNNE (IRL) & Greg HOLMES (ENG) -5 tied 5th.

The average Round 1 score was 73.41 with 56 competitors shooting par or better.

Round 1 Leaderboard (Graphic: Golf Ireland / Golf Genius)

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6th May 2025

The Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship, sponsored by Flogas, starts on Thursday 8th May 2025 at Seapoint Golf Links near Drogheda, County Louth on Ireland’s east coast.

It will be the 86th playing of this prestigious Championship but the first time it has visited Seapoint.

Seapoint’s 2nd Hole (Photo: Seaport G.C.)

Format

Organised by Golf Ireland the Irish Amateur Open is a 72-hole stroke play event played over four days.

18 holes will be played on each of the first three days before a top 50 and ties cut is made. A final 18 holes will then be played by the leading competitors on Sunday.

A tie for the Championship will be resolved by a sudden death play-off. All other ties will be resolved by a last eighteen and then last nine countback.

The Irish Amateur Open Champion Golfer is awarded a superb silver trophy (see photo below). Irish winners are allowed to take the trophy back to their Club for the year whereas overseas winners must return it to the organisers after the prize presentation.

Players

132 golfers will contest the 2025 Championship.

I expect the following players to do well (in alphabetical order): Colm CAMPBELL (IRL), Paul COUGHLAN (IRL), Brian DORAN (IRL), TJ FORD (IRL), Stuart GREHAN (IRL), Dylan HOLMES (IRL), David KITT (IRL), Matt MCCLEAN (IRL), Jack MCDONNELL (IRL), Caolan RAFFERTY (IRL), Matt ROBERTS (WAL) and Gregor TAIT (SCO).

It will also be interesting to see how Seapoint’s Dylan KEATING (IRL) gets on around his home course.

Like all events played before June the field quality isn’t helped by the large number of GB&I and European players now playing on the U.S. college circuit.

Tee Times

Click here to view the – 2025 Irish Amateur Open Tee Times

Players will tee off, from the 1st and 10th tees, between 8.00am and 2.55pm in three-balls on each of the first three days so changes in the weather and wind speeds throughout each day could play a big part in scoring.

Course

Seapoint is a modern championship links course designed by Des Smyth in the early 1990s and opened for play in June 1993.

Located adjacent to Termonfeckin Beach the course is 7,150 yards from the back tees and has a par of 72.

Over the last 30 years it has hosted a number of professional events as well as the Irish Amateur Close Championship in 2014 which was won by JR Galbraith.

Weather Forecast (as at Tuesday 6th May)

The weather forecast for this week looks very good for all four days – mainly sunny with only light winds expected.

Thu 8th May – Sunny Intervals / Wind 11 mph E / Temp. Min. 7°C / Max. 15°C.
Fri  9th May – Sunny / Wind 10 mph SE / Temp. Min. 6°C / Max. 15°C.
Sat  10th May – Sunny / Wind 10 mph SE / Temp. Min. 8°C / Max. 16°C.
Sun 11th May – Sunny / Wind 8 mph E / Temp. Min. 9°C / Max. 16°C.

The 2024 Irish Amateur Open Championship

Matt MCCLEAN (IRL) won the 2024 Flogas Irish Amateur Open Championship at County Sligo G.C., his first Irish Championship.

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Matt McClean (Photo: Golf Ireland)

McClean’s 273 (-11) total was 2-shots better than Liam NOLAN (IRL). TJ FORD (IRL) produced a superb final round 65 to finish in 3rd place on -6. Oswestry’s Tom MATTHEWS (WAL) -5 came in 4th and Hugh FOLEY (IRL) -4 5th.

Click here to view the – 2024 Irish Amateur Open Championship Results

History, Past Winners and Records

The Irish Amateur Open Championship was first played in 1892 with early winners including the English amateur greats John Ball and Harold Hilton.

Between 1894 and 1901 (6 years) the competition was played as part of the Irish Championship Meeting alongside a professional tournament.

The Championship was not played during both World Wars.

It was also not played between 1960 and 1994 due to a lack of interest from overseas players amidst concerns over safety.

Prior to 1958 it was a match play event but since returning to the amateur calendar in 1995 it has been 72 holes of stroke play.

To view a list of past winners click here – Irish Amateur Open Past Champions

ME.

Copyright © 2014-2025, Mark Eley. All rights reserved.