Victory at Vallromanes - Tommy Hanley

Tommy Hanley is still on "Cloud Nine" after his hugely impressive success at the the XII Catalan Open. "It was a great feeling winning the Catalan Open with such a strong field." 

A regular traveller since 2012 to the early season Catalan international event, Tommy's previous best result was 18th at Sant Cebria in 2017. "I have been trying a few years now and it felt amazing to finally get over the line."

A proud Irishman from Bruff in Co. Limerick, Hanley understandably places huge value on the long established Irish domestic championships. "I put it (Catalan Open) just behind winning the Munster Matchplay in Roscarberry Co. Cork." Hanley's win in Ireland's second most important Matchplay championship was in 2015.

New equipment and a productive weekend with the short stick were critical influences on his win. "The key factors in my success were my new Wedge and my Putter was 'hot'." 

Predicted adverse weather for Sunday played a large part in Tommy's approach to Saturday's second round. "After the first round there were a lot of rumours around the dinner table that Sunday would not go ahead due to the forecast that was given, so I went out in the second round attacking every pin. I had ten birdies, two fours and a nice 'oner' on 17." That hole in one on Vallromanes 86 metre penultimate hole set Tommy up superbly for the third round, into which he took a four stroke lead. 

The final round tactics were straightforward. "The game plan for Sunday was to stay out of trouble and I was lucky enough to have a five shot lead with four to play. "

Hanley's goals for the remainder of 2018 are domestically focused. "My ambitions for the rest of the year would be to try and qualify for the four majors (Irish Strokeplay/Matchplay and Munster Strokeplay/Matchplay) and get a good run in one of them."

Tommy enjoyed the company of his direct fellow competitors at Vallromanes. "I was lucky enough to play in the final group on Saturday and Sunday with Emile Sanmartin and fellow Irishman Shane Murphy. We all know Shane is a gentleman to play with but I cannot say enough about Emile, what a great competitor."