Irish eyes are smiling as Lurch wins

Irishman Lurch Hayden became the first international player to win the Mongrel Masters bringing tears as well as smiles to those Irish eyes of his. Shooting a respectable 3 over par, that included two birdies and three pars, Lurch cruised to a three stroke lead over the field.

Pre-tournament favorite, Noni Scanlon, started the event in style birdying the first and taking an early two shot lead. This was not to last as he proceeded   to slowly boil over with a bogey, double bogey and triple bogey on the net three holes. This enabled Lurch to take the lead which from the third hole onwards was never challenged.

Robo Roberston valiantly defended his title until disaster struck on the relatively easy 7th hole  putting him out of contention. Thanks for this result can be put down to some great sledging by Red Colby. 

Having made par on the 6th Robo was starting to make a charge at Lurch's four stroke lead. Then on the next tee Red quietly asked Robo whether he had a snap hook? Robo dutifully replied by carving three shots out of bounds to record a legs eleven on the par four. Thus waiving good bye to any thoughts he had of retaining his crown. 

Ironically Red Colby recorded the first ever eagle on the 7th with an incredible 7 iron straight into the hole. However even this shot could not put a dent into Lurch's lead. Even with a double bogy 6 on the last, Lurch cruised to a three stroke victory. 

Lurch's win seriously questioned Chad G Todd's claims of being the best sledger in the game by allowing Lurch to win without even a whimper. Once again Chad seemed to be more concerned about his own game and clamored his way back into the top five after three years in the wilderness.

Click here for 2001 Results

Click here for the 2001 Mongrel Masters in Photographs

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