Hilarious film lands young golfer Portrush prize

A junior member of Castle Barna Golf Club in Daingean has won a pair of tickets to see the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush, courtesy of his hilarious video.

Nathaniel Daly took up golf last year when his grandad Noel Daly brought him for a day to The Open, prompting the 11-year-old to want to go again this year. However, with tickets hard to get, Noel who had signed up for the newsletter saw a video competition advertised and the two decided to enter.

Not only will Nathaniel and Noel be in situ as The Open returns to Portrush for the first time since 1951, but the pair have also won the honour of being the faces of The Open brand film.

Called ‘a putt to win The Open’, Nathaniel's dad Garret who shot the short 60-second clip on his phone, explains: “Nathaniel really started getting into golf last year and he's a member of Castle Barna. 

“When he and my dad saw the competition to win tickets, that was the seed of it. 

“We talked about what we could do and we shot it with our dog Dexter, who is a Boston Terrier. They say never work with animals or children but on this occasion it turned out really well!”

The film features Nathaniel who is anxious to finish his dinner and get out to play golf, but he must he finish his peas first! With the help of his loyal dog Dexter, he comes up with a plan, calling on dog Dexter and using his knife as a makeshift putter. 

He putts every pea into Dexter's mouth, and lining up the final one says “This putt for The Open” and duly sinks it, emptying his plate of the greens and ready to head out for a round.

Nathaniel and Noel will be on their way to soak up the Northern Irish atmosphere this week and watch on as golf stars like Tiger Woods, home favourite Rory McIlroy and Francesco Molinari bid for the Claret Jug.

“He's looking forward to seeing Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry and Rory of course. 

“He saw Tiger Woods last year but failed to get an autograph, so I think he'll be on a mission this year,” adds dad Garret, who is originally from Tara in Meath.

Colgan Sports kindly sponsored some new club wear for Nathaniel's trip to the Open.

Below: Kelly, Nathaniel Daly, Brian McCormack: