Northern Ireland’s Michael Hoey has been proclaimed winner of the Alfred Dunhill Chamnpionship, a European Tour tournament, after being able to withstand the fearsome onslaught of his compatriots Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell. The final in St. Andrews of this tournament, which took place in previous days also in the links of Kingsbarns and Carnoustie, had a Northern Irish color: Hoey, 32 years old, won with -22, McIlroy finished second, two strokes behind, and McDowell was third although he was equal with the Scotsman George Murray.
Hoey’s three birdies on the last four holes, especially the last on the 18th, saved him from falling into the clutches of McIlroy, the third best player in the world who completed the first nine flags in 30 strokes and after starting four strokes behind.
Such was McIlroy’s efficiency that he was the leader at the halfway point (four birdies and an eagle). But the 22-year-old Northern Irishman’s avalanche came to a halt at the 11th hole, which was his last birdie.
From that moment on, McIlroy could only make pars. He shot 65 strokes (-7), by far the best card of the day, but Hoey was able to accelerate in the final stretch to win the third title of his career and the check for 588,148 euros.
Rafa Cabrera, in 30th place, was the best of the Spaniards.
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