McCarthy up 15 places after solid round in Italy

TASMANIAN touring Professional Ryan McCarthy was in action last week on the European Challenge Tour in the $450,000 Italian Challenge in Sardinia, Italy.

The 27-year-old British Open qualifier shot rounds of 66, 69, 67 and 72 to finish in equal 35th place at the Is Molas Resort. The Burnieborn, former Tasmanian Open and amateur champion carded one eagle, 18 birdies and 10 bogeys for his 10-under-par 274.

South Australia’s Nick Cullen was the leading Australian in the event, tying for fourth at 18-under.

Joel Sjöholm won his maiden European Challenge Tour title by carding a final round of 65 to triumph by four shots at the Italian Challenge. The Swede started the final day two strokes behind overnight leader Bradley Neil of Scotland, but took the lead after four birdies over the front nine.

McCarthy moved up 15 places on the European Challenge Tour standings to 88th with 8605 points after the Italian Challenge.

The top 15 players at the end of the Challenge Tour season will graduate to the European Tour.

A total of 15 events remain on the European Challenge Tour tournament schedule, which culminates with the NBO Golf Classic Gran Final from November 1-4.

McCarthy will now put aside his Challenge Tour duties for a week to make his major championship debut at the 146th Open at Royal Birkdale. McCarthy, who is ranked 1357th in the world, is scheduled to tee off at 1.16am (AEST) on Friday. ROYAL Hobart Golf Club junior Hallie Meaburn contested the IMG Academy Junior World Championship in San Diego, California last week.

The 14-year-old returned rounds of 78, 81 and a fantastic one-over-par final round of 73 at The Country Club of Rancho Bernardo.

Meaburn’s 16-over-par total of 232 secured her a top-60 finish among a field of 125 competitors.