Millicent’s Brian Doran bounced back from his disappointment in the South of Ireland Championship to claim his first amateur ‘major’ with a two-shot win in the 62nd Mullingar Scratch Trophy.

Eight days after losing to American Patrick Adler in the final at Lahinch, the Co Kildare man (28) fired a third-round 70 to take a two-stroke lead over Malahide’s Gavin O’Neill and Fota Island’s David Howard into the final round in Mullingar.  

Doran is currently ranked No. 777 in the Golfweek/AmateurGolf.com World Rankings.

His lead was reduced to just one stroke over O’Neill as the putts failed to drop on the front nine in the Pinergy and Sherry Fitzgerald Davitt & Davitt sponsored classic.

But remained patient and covered the back nine in four-under 33 for the second round running, carding a final round 68 for a two-shot win over O’Neill, who also shot 68, on 11-under par 277.

Thrilled to etch his name alongside major champions Pádraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry on the famous old trophy, Doran is looking forward now to adding to his trophy haul and taking the next step in his representative career after getting the call up from Leinster this season.

“It’s unbelievable,” Doran said. “It hasn't even sunk in yet. To be on the trophy with Lowry and McIlroy, it's class. It's nice to go one better than last week.”

Doran said he learned a lot from his recent performances and kept his cool when the putts failed to drop on the front nine in both rounds, coming home in four-under 33 in the morning and the afternoon.

“I’ve learned a lot in the last few weeks from inter-pros, the East, and then last week. Patrick (Adler) played class and I just couldn’t get the second hole or just that bit of momentum,” he said.

“This morning, I started off poorly in the front nine, sloppy golf and I just stuck with it, was patient. Two good back nines in both rounds.”

He began his move by holing a 12-footer at the 12th, then rolled in a 15-footer at the 13th and two-putted the par-five 14th to go three-under for the round before hitting a stinger two-iron and a glorious eight-iron to six feet to set up the decisive birdie at the dangerous 17th.

“It was actually a nice birdie on 17 this evening,” he said. “I bogeyed that hole three times. First time I hit the green this week was in the last round.

“It just sets up for the stinger for me and I didn't pull it off this morning but I pulled of off this evening and only had eight iron in. I have to admit I pulled the second shot a wee bit but it worked out well in the end and it was nice putt to sink.”

He’ll be back at work at Pfizer in Kildare on Tuesday, but he’s also looking forward to Senior Cup action with Millicent this weekend before aiming for Irish Amateur Close glory at Dun Laoghaire next week.

“Leinster semi-final in Palmerstown House and then Dun Laoghaire for the Irish Close, and then we're actually in Carlow for the All Ireland Barton Shield and hopefully Senior Cup as well,” he said.

A native of Narrowmore near Kilcullen, he’s found a new home at Millicent Golf Club and hopes to keep improving.

“I grew up playing at Rathsallagh and then went to Palmerstown for a year and then ended up in Baltinglass,” he said. “I’ve been at Millicent since last September and it’s a great set up. We have done well in the Barton Shield and now we have Senior Cup to look forward to on Sunday.”

As for his career ambitions, he’s ruling nothing out.

A Championship or green jersey?

“Possibly. Who knows? All I can do is let the golf do the talking. I was delighted to get he call up for he Interpros so as I say, let the golf do the talking and whatever else comes with, so be it.”

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