McMahon comes out ahead at Lytham Trophy
Royal Lytham & St. Annes (@RoyalLythamGolf photo)
Despite a small army of chasers behind him, Englishman Joshua McMahon came out on top at the Lytham Trophy, winning the prestigious amateur event at Royal Lytham and St. Annes by a single shot over three other men. He had started the final round five shots off the pace.
McMahon had rounds of 71-73-73-71 in the early-spring event for an 8-over total. He was 2 under in his final three holes on Sunday, and holed a 40-footer for birdie on No. 18 to seal the victory. His greatest challenge in Sunday’s final round came from Austria’s Gerold Folk, who had a final-round 69 to climb into second place. That included a birdie on the last hole.
“That finish was unbelievable,” McMahon told Golf England after watching his nearest rivals come up just short. “I gave myself a lot to do when I bogeyed 14 and then double bogeyed 15 but a birdie on 16 settled me back down and the birdie on 18 was the icing on the cake.
“That putt on the last was certainly the most important 40-footer I have ever holed in my life. This is such a big tournament and hopefully the win will open a few doors for me. I will certainly remember it for a long time to come."
Folk, along with Jack Brooks and Harry Goddard, all finished second at 9 over.
McMahon’s last major victory came at the 2018 Cheshire Stroke Play Championship in England. He came in 49th at last year’s Lytham Trophy.
Germany’s Marc Hammer was fifth followed by two men in sixth including Tom McKibbin, the Northern Irishman who last week won the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley in Graniteville, S.C.
ABOUT THE
Lytham Trophy
In the early 1960s some of the senior
Members
of the Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club felt
that there was a gap in the amateur golfing
calendar and the need for a major 72 hole
scratch competition. Help was given by the
English Golf Union to launch the event and to
select entrants. The Scottish, Irish, Welsh and
County Unions and various eminent players
were approached for their support. All gave it
willingly and so was born the Lytham Trophy.
It is held each year over the Bank Holiday
Weekend at the beginning of May. It is now
played solely at Royal Lytham with one round
being played on the Friday and Saturday and
the final two rounds, for those that have made
the cut, on the Sunday.
Every winner takes away a replica for the
handsome "Sputnick" trophy which was
donated by Members subscriptions. All have
been international golfers of the highest
quality
and many have gone on to be successful
Professionals.
The entry is now of the highest calibre from
all
parts of the UK and Eire and in recent years
from all over Europe.
View Complete Tournament Information