Barry golfers career best (From Barry And District News)

Barry golfers career best

BARRY golfer Stephen Dodd notched up the best win of his career on Sunday when he won the Nissan Irish Open at Carton House, defeating Ryder Cup man David Howell in a play-off.

The 38-year-old captured the 227,466 first prize with a birdie at the first extra hole.

Stephen had been to the qualifying school on ten occasions before his breakthrough last November, when he won his first European Tour title - the China Open.

The tournament was delayed by a hailstorm on Sunday afternoon, but Stephen had saved his best round till last and his 68 earned him a play-off with a nine-under par total of 279 following earlier rounds of 69, 70, 72.

He overcame the problems of a late evening finish in the play-off when he was on the green in two, and after finding the rough Howell could not get up and down.

After his Shanghai win it needed an eagle at the last from Ernie Els to pip Stephen in Dubai in March, and his last four tournaments have seen him finish sixth, fifth, 11th and now first.

He said: "I don't really know know it's happened. I can't explain it, but after winning I developed more confidence and believe in what I'm doing."

Stephen has not played a Major since he won the British Amateur in 1989 and qualified for the Open and Masters, but now he has a chance to earn an exempt spot at next month's US Open.

Meanwhile Stephen is not the only one celebrating.