HOLMES ENDS 2026 WIN DROUGHT

“I feel brilliant yeah, it’s nice to get a win this year, haven’t had many good events so it’s nice to get a win finally” said Dylan Holmes after winning the 2026 Wtech Mullingar Scratch Trophy at newly renovated Mullingar Golf Club.

Holmes, 2025 West of Ireland Champion, lead the event from start to finish with rounds of 66+68+69+70 for a total of 273 to finish three clear of a late charging 2007 Champion Paul O’Hanlon of Carton House who carded two fantastic rounds of 66 on the Bank Holiday Monday to put pressure on Holmes.

Indeed at one stage both players were tied at 12-under-par on their respective back nines, as both players had teed off on opposite nines in a two tee start, but a birdie for Holmes on the sixteenth, while O’Hanlon made a bogey on the sixth hole (his 15th) producing a two shot swing that sealed the title for Holmes.

“I didn’t know until 16 (how close it was), I saw someone was going to probably get to twelve (under) and then I hit a terrible second shot into 16, which was probably a result of me knowing. But I managed to hole a twenty footer for birdie, which was a big momentum switch in my head, it meant I needed to just par the last two”.

Holmes finished like a champion with a par, birdie finish to win in style.

It was a sweet win for Holmes, who finished runner-up last year, made sweeter with his Dad Karl on his bag.

Photos: Dylan celebrates win on 18th green with his dad and caddy Karl.