‘An out-of-body experience’ – Ireland’s best U-18 golfer on meeting Rory McIlroy, the Leaving Cert and US college signing
John Doyle watches his tee shot on the 17th hole during day one of the Amgen Irish Open at The K Club last year. Photo: Ramsey Cardy/SportsfileIt’s the second round of the Irish Open at The K Club in September and Grand Slam champion Rory McIlroy is warming up on the range when an amateur pops his golf balls down next to him, walks over and introduces himself. Not many amateurs would have the nerve to approach McIlroy mid warm-up, but this is not your regular amateur golfer. Mitchelstown native John Doyle arrived at the Irish Open off the back of a breakout year on the amateur circuit, becoming the No 1 U-18 player in Ireland, and competing in the US, Europe and Ireland.
Source: Irish Independent April 02, 2026 09:02 UTC
