Staff WriterIf you’re going to win anything in golf, you might as well do it in style—and ideally somewhere with a bit of soul and sea spray.
That’s exactly what Irish duo Sharon Conway and Michael Wynne managed as they clinched an emotional victory in the 2025 R&A 9 Hole Challenge Final at Royal Portrush, a course as storied as it is punishing.
This wasn’t just a friendly hit-and-giggle. Over 711,000 nine-hole rounds were played globally this year in qualifying events. Yes, you read that right. That’s more swings than a weekend stag do in Marbella.
And from all corners of the golfing globe—Argentina to Australia, Canada to South Africa—forty hopeful finalists descended upon the Dunluce Links for a taste of Open Championship turf.
Representing Rathcore Golf Club in County Meath, Conway and Wynne sealed the title with a nett aggregate of 37 points over holes 1, 2, and 12 through 18.
It marked the third straight year that an Irish pairing has triumphed in the R&A 9 Hole Challenge Final. There must be something in the Guinness.
“I am speechless at the minute which is a first for me,” Conway admitted, visibly moved by the moment. “It was such an amazing event, to get to play Portrush is so special and the views from 12-18 are spectacular.”
The win was laced with poignant emotion, too. Conway dedicated the performance to her late in-laws, who had both passed away in recent weeks. “It’s been a hard two weeks,” she said.
“I don’t know what strings they were pulling up there for us, but they helped get us across the line. My dad text me to say there were two special people looking down on me today… I just tried my best.”
Her partner, Wynne, echoed the sentiment: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be involved and to win.
Our prize was getting to play Portrush and soaking up the atmosphere. The course is in fabulous condition. It’s going to be a tough test next week, especially if the wind is up.”
Behind them, the young guns of Brighton & Hove—14-year-old Harry Blood and his partner Andrew McWhirter—claimed second with 36 points, while South Africa’s Barend Botha and Daryn Shepherd took third on 34 after a countback.
Another 14-year-old, Jack West from Auchenblae in Scotland, also made the Final alongside his dad Neil, proving that the game’s future is being forged in shorter formats—and strong family ties.
Since its 2016 debut, the R&A 9 Hole Challenge has made a strong case for fast, fun, and competitive golf that doesn’t swallow half your Saturday. Participation is soaring.
Argentina saw a 42% increase in nine-hole rounds over the past year. Down under, Golf Australia has cleverly paired the Challenge with their TeeMates junior programme, driving down the average age and boosting the number of kids chasing Handicap Indexes®.
South Africa’s numbers are up, too, with a 4% increase in nine-hole play, including more women teeing it up—proof that golf, when made more accessible, is far from fading into history.
The R&A’s push for shorter-format golf is more than just a time-saver—it’s part of a strategic drive to highlight the physical and mental health benefits the game can offer, whether you’re a scratch golfer or just in it for the walk and the occasional miracle chip.
It also doesn’t hurt that under the World Handicap System™, it’s never been easier to submit a nine-hole score and walk away feeling like you’ve done something heroic—even if it was just parring the last.
To learn more, visit randa.org/nine-hole-challenge. But if this year’s final is anything to go by, don’t wait too long. The line to Portrush starts here.
