Crosland Heath-based teenager Aaliyah Hryniewiecka-Irwin became the first winner of the North of Ireland Women’s Amateur Open Championship as she battled back from a difficult start to win at Lough Erne.
The 19-year-old, who was born in Enniskillen, shot rounds of 69, 69 and 77 for a one under-par total and a one-shot win over Abercrombie Nisbet (Gullane) as Molly O Hara (Clandeboye) and Hannah Lee-McNamara (Royal Portrush) finished in a tie for third place on one over-par.
Aaliyah made back-to-back double-bogeys early in the final round but held her nerve and birdied the 11th to place herself back in the ascendency. Her playing partner, Jade Potter (Craigielaw), had back-to-back birdies on five and six but her challenge faded as Aaliyah made seven consecutive pars to close out the final round and take home the trophy.
“I’m over the moon, I definitely made it hard today but I’m glad I got it done in the end,” said Aaliyah. “I had to find my groove, and I settled down on the back nine. The 11th kind of calmed me down and from there it was about taking it a lot slower and playing basic golf really, that’s what helped.”
“My dad is from Enniskillen and I was born there, so it’s nice to win this event,” added Aaliyah. “He always keeps me in check – he is good to have on the bag and it’s great to finally have a win with him on the bag.”
For the full results click here.
