John Walsh - Masterful at McDonagh
Eleven years ago, John Walsh and Chrissie Sheedy won World Strokeplay championship titles on the same day in scorching hot temperatures at Tambre, Galicia. In much cooler conditions (albeit mild for the time of the year in Ireland), John and Chrissie both sparkled in winning World Pitch and Putt Tour events on the same day at McDonagh. fippa.org was delighted to get their thoughts on their respective victories immediately after they holed the winning putts. John's ruminations follow.
John Walsh’s immediate reaction to his success ar McDonagh? “It’s brilliant. I didn’t think I do any good. I didn’t get up here to practise but I did play and practise a lot at the in the doubles in Spain a few weeks ago.”
Walsh is perfectly familiar with the McDonagh layout on which he was a European Team championship winner with Ireland in 2003 and was understandably proud of his three rounds on The Curragh in 2024. “I didn’t have a bogey,” he beamed.
2024 has been the latest in long line of successful seasons for John Walsh. Many of his 2024 successes were achieved alongside his Cork Inter-County team mate, the two-time Irish Open champion, Frank Dineen. “Frank is a character,” laughed John. “He’d be texting me to say ‘go and practice’. I should be telling him to practice. He needs it more than I do! I’d always practice. It’s never a dull moment with Frank.”
Walsh’s partner for the final round at McDonagh was Stephen Shoer. “It’s not often you get to play with one of your heroes,” averred Stephen, which demonstrates the esteem that Walsh is held by all of his peers. 2023 Irish Strokeplay champion Shoer was the best of a handful of Friday starters with a brilliant -17 and posted an excellent 47 in the final round to finish 6th.
Walsh had a jocular response to some perceived doubters who he felt might have wondered if fortunes of the five-time Irish individual champion and World Cup winner were on the wane. “I’m not finished yet!” he declared, smiling.
The Walsh career resumé is brimming with titles but this 2024 WPPT Ireland Master means a lot. “It’s well up there. It’s late in the year but every weekend is really busy. It’s a great field and I will treasure it."
Future ambitions for one of the all-time greats? “Just enjoy it. Enjoy the company that I play with. Be healthy and stay well.”
“I love it,” said John of international Pitch and Putt. “It’s great travelling away. I was at the World Strokeplay in Vigo this year and at the Doubles at Sant Cebria. It's brilliiant, family, friends and players that you meet.”
“There’s a social aspect to it as well. The last few nights of big tournaments you ease off. I had dinner with Weeshie (Murphy) and my wife (Lorraine) last night we were bloated after it. We couldn’t even drink, so we took it easy.”
The formula certainly worked and Walsh was a clear five stroke winner over David Sexton (who fired a fabulous closing 42 on Sunday), Jason Cregan and overnight leader Michael Fennell.