British Open
The second British Open was played in Central Park, Dagenham on 12th/13th May 2018. Detailed scores here.
Pacelli Darcy (Ireland). beat defending champion John Deeble (Britain) and overnight leader Liam O'Donovan (Ireland) in a playoff for the British Open in Dagenham. The trio had tied on 15 under par 147 for the regulation 54 holes. Reigning European Over 55s Strokeplay champion Pacelli Darcy fired a fabulous 46 in Sunday's final round to tie with Deeble (47) and O'Donovan (48). Two more Irishmen filled fourth and fifth places - Gary Pyke (150) and Conor Fahey (151).
Esther de Schiffart won the ladies. The Dutch player scored 55 on Sunday for an aggregate of 166 and a twelve stroke margin over holder Mary Murray (Ireland). Britain's Dawn Cruickshank finished third. Ireland's Sean Minogue returned 156 for 54 holes. That 6 under par tally gave the Nenagh native five shots to spare in the Over 55s category over fellow countryman Billy O'Donovan. Britain's Steve Deeble was next on 162.
Sunday tee times here
Liam O'Donovan (Ireland) carded a second round of 48 in rainy conditions to take over the lead after Saturday's 36 holes. Liam was nine under par on 99 and led by one from reigning champion John Deeble (Britain), who carded two rounds of 50. Pacelli Darcy and his Irish colleague Conor Fahey were next on 7 under par 101. Ireland's Gary Pyke and Jordan Deeble (Britain) were poised on 102.
Esrher de Schiffart (Holland) took control of the ladies event with a fine second round of 54 for a 111 total. That was seven strokes clear of defending champion Mary Murray.
Sean Minogue (Ireland) is on 105 and that;s second to Pacelli Darcy in the senior category. 2016 winner Steve Deeble (Britain) is next on 106.
Liam Malone (Britain) was the first round round after shooting a superb 7 under par 47. Malone led by two from Pacelli Darcy (Ireland), who fired 49. Reigning champion John Deeble (Britian) was on 50. There was a group of three Irishmen on 51 - Liam O'Donovan, Conor Fahy and Gary Pyke.
Defending ladies champion Mary Murray (Ireland) was on course to retain her title after an opening 55.Mary is two ahead of Dutch player Esther de Schiffart.
On an opening day which was blessed with fantastic sunshine it was defending British Open champion John Deeble who came out on top in the now customary start of the weekend - the 6 hole matchplay event
World Strokeplay champion Liam O'Donovan made an early exit. After getting past Jordan Deeble, Liam was defeated by Kevin Mitchell who finished the match with a hole in one on 15 followed by a birdie on 16.
With Steve Deeble, Kevin Mitchell, Gary Pyke and Conor Fahey all falling at the quarter final stage it was left to Michael Darcy (Ireland) and local player Liam Malone to try and prevent the Deebles taking the Matchplay bragging rights. That was not to be the case and both John and Jamie made their way to the final where they met each other on the first tee. The two brothers did battle with John coming out on top to start was is set to be a great weekend of pitch and putt.
