Nick Flanagan tees up for first event as pro
BY iseekgolf.com | European PGA Tour | 2004 Nissan Irish Open | General | 22 Jul 2004
Australian Nick Flanagan will line up in his first event as a professional when he tees off today at the 49th Irish Open at the County Louth Club at Baltray, north of Dublin.
Flanagan, the current US Amateur Champion played this years Masters, US Open and last weeks Open Championship, before deciding to turn pro at this weeks Irish Open.
The 19-year-old will be joined by 12 Australasians including defending Champion Michael Campbell (NZ), Peter Lonard, Craig Spence, Peter Fowler, Nick O’Hern, Daniel Gaunt, Brett Rumford, Jarrod Moseley, Peter O’Malley, Wade Ormsby, Terry Price and Stephen Scahill (NZ).
Flanagan will tee off at 2:10pm local time alongside 1991 US Masters Champion Ian Woosnam and local favourite Damien McGrane.
Newcastle born Flanagan, from the Belmont Golf Club, became the first Australian in 100 years to take out the US Amateur title in August last year and the second youngest winner behind Tiger Woods, who was 18 when he won took the prize in 1994.
In taking out last years US Amateur title Flanagan took a step up finding his name appearing alongside previous US Amateur Champions including the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer & Phil Mickelson.
Locally, Flanagan has been a New South Wales and Australian Junior Champion. His titles include the 2003 Tasmanian Open Championship, the 2002 NZ Under 19 Champion, 2001 Australian Schoolboys and NSW Junior Champion.
The Irish Open will be held from July 22-25 with players vying for the $A544,000 first prize cheque.
Source – PGA Tour Australia
