 Darren Crowe is the new North of Ireland champion |
Darren Crowe defeated Conor Doran in Friday afternoon's all-Ulster final of the North of Ireland Amateur Open at Royal Portrush. Dunmurry player Crowe said it was his biggest triumph after the one hole win over his Banbridge opponent.
"I am delighted - we both played well but I just holed a few extra putts," the 25-year-old Crowe told BBC Sport.
"I was three up with three to play and let it slip so I was delighted to see my second shot land on the 18th green."
He added: "I have finished in second place three times in these events before and have never performed well in the North of Ireland.
"I was not playing well coming into the tournament but improved as the week went on - my putting and ball striking got better."
In the morning semi-finals, Crowe had a one-hole victory over another Banbridge player Rory Leonard.
Doran, the top qualifier from the strokeplay section and a full international, had a 5&3 success over Malahide teenager Andrew Pitcher.
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