The IPGA Champions at Royal Dublin 1978 - 1980

1978: Christy O’Connor Senior

Many decades passed before the PGA Irish Region brought the national championship back to Royal Dublin but when they did, Christy O’Connor Senior rose magnificently to the challenge on his beloved home course.

Christy Senior was 53 and the starting field of 89 included all of the Irish European Tour professionals including Eamonn Darcy, John O’Leary, Des Smyth, and Christy O’Connor Junior.

At the time Christy Senior already held the record of appearances in the Ryder Cup (10), but was one short of the IPGA Championship record of ten wins achieved by his great friend Harry Bradshaw of Portmarnock.

The course par was 73 and weather conditions proved very difficult over the first three days.

Despite the younger, Tour-hardened cohort in the field, the tournament evolved into a contest between Christy Senior and 44-year old Mick Murphy, a former assistant to Senior at Royal Dublin.

The veterans tied on 286, six-under par, and Senior came out best in a three hole playoff.

Des Smyth had set a new course record 66 in the final round of the 1978 Championship, a score which elevated him to fourth place in the tournament.

The following year Smyth came to Royal Dublin as a Ryder Cup player, having featured on the first European team to play the biennial event against the USA, and also as European Match Play champion.

Tournament organisers had decided in advance to limit the event to 54 holes to avoid a clash with the visit of Pope John Paul II to Ireland.

Smyth started badly with a first round 77 which included a horrible nine at the 11th where he hit two balls out of bounds.

The outlook changed for the better on day two with a best-of-the-day 69, which shot Smyth back into contention.

It was a remarkable performance given that strong winds made scoring difficult, particularly on the back nine.

The Laytown & Bettystown golfer produced another 69 in the final round for 215, four under par, and victory by a shot ahead of runner-up David Jones (Bangor).

Christy O’Connor Senior did not give up his title easily and finished third on 217, two behind Smyth.

1980: David Feherty (Balmoral)

The 1980 Championship confirmed David Feherty’s budding talent as the fledgling Tour player received a huge confidence boost by winning the national title.

Feherty, 22, became the youngest winner of the IPGA Championship, and did so in stylish fashion.

Two level par rounds of 73 were followed by 68, 69 for 283, nine under par, which allowed him a three shot margin ahead of runner-up Hugh Jackson of Donabate.