Sophomore in his second season with the Clemson program … named to All ACC Academic team as freshman … just the third player from Ireland to join the Clemson program.
Overview: Sophomore in his second season with the Clemson program…named to All ACC Academic team as freshman…just the third player from Ireland to join the Clemson program….Richard Coughlan (now assistant coach at Texas) was an All-American and Co-ACC Player of the Year for the Tigers between 1993-97, and Michael Hoey was a starter on Clemson NCAA Tournament teams between 1999-2001…one of three international players who joined the Clemson program in 2022….over the last year played in tournaments in Ireland, Scotland, France, England and Spain…..recorded eight top 10 finishes in prominent tournaments over the last three years, including four top three finishes.
In 2022-23: Played in six tournaments as a freshman, four in the Tigers lineup and two as an individual….had a 73.61 stroke average for his 18 rounds…had one top 10, it was in his first career event…all his appearances were in the spring…had five rounds at par or better, three under-par and two at par…14 of his 18 rounds were at 75 or better…had a 74.33 stroke average in opening rounds and 72.67 average in final rounds…averaged 3.25 on par three holes, 4.13 on par fours and 4.83 on par fives…had 62 birdies in his 18 rounds…his score counted in 9 of 12 team rounds…was Clemson’s best player in a round twice, final round at Watersound (73), and final round at Linger longer (69)…made his first appearance as an individual at The Sharkey Invitational, he finished sixth with a 216 score, even par…shot a 70 at the Sharkey on Feb. 5 in his first career round…had his best round of the year at the Linger Longer, where he had a final round 69 to finish at 221 for the 54 holes, 33rd place…did not play in the ACC Tournament, but was in the lineup at the NCAA Salem Regional where he shot four-over-par 220…shot 73 or better in seven of his first eight rounds of the year.
In High School: Veteran of many international tournaments and was a regular on the Faldo Series…..had a strong last year, dating to September of 2021, had four top 10s and seven top 25 finishes in amateur events that earned points in the European Amateur standings…had 72.50 stroke average for 13 tournaments from September 2021 to August 2022…had four top 10s between September 2021 and April 2022…finished ninth at the West of Ireland in September of 2022 with a 286 score….that performance included a third round 67, his best score over the last year….reached final four of Connolly’s Audie West of Ireland Championship in April of 2022…finished 21st at Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship in October 2021, then had three straight top 10s….was eighth at the Faldo Grand Final, then fifth at the Toro Tour 10 and third at the West of Ireland…in summer of 2022, finished 21st at North of Ireland Open, 15th at the Mulligan Scatch Trophy (288 score) and 32nd at Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship… finished second at the 2021 Mallow Golf Club Senior Scratch Cup with a score of 209….led CBS Roscommon to the 2020 Irish Schools Senior Championship…second at the Faldo Irish Championship as well in 2020…in 2019, Higgins had a second-place finish at the Irish U16 Amateur….won the Ulster Boys (U18) Championship in 2018 by five shots at famed Royal Portrush.
Personal: Named the Junior Boys Captain of Roscommon Country Club in 2021…his sister Anna was the Junior Girls Captain the year before…son of Mary and Tom Higgins…majoring in health science…born January 28, 2003.
Personality Profile
Favorite Current Professional Golfer: Collin Morikawa
Favorite Professional Golfer of All-time: Tiger Woods, by a mile
Favorite Athlete Outside of Golf: Cristiano Ronaldo
Favorite Course I have Played: Royal Port-rush
Course I Would Like to Play: Cypress Point
Favorite Golf Hole: 18 @ The Old Course in St Andrews
Toughest Course I Have Played: Royal Lytham and St Annes
My Best Shot Ever: My Drive down 19th hole in The West of Ireland, 350 yards down the middle which left me a pitch from about 50 yards which I put to 5 feet, held the putt for birdie and won the match.
My Best All-time Round: 63, Roscommon Golf Course, my home course
The Best Part Of My Game is: Putting
My Favorite Club: Driver
The Part of the Game I Must Improve Is: Driving
The Biggest Influence on My Golf Career Has Been: Mike Kennelly, my coach
After My Golf Career Is Complete I Want To: Chill in the Bahamas
My Dream Foursome Includes Myself And: Tiger Woods
As an international student-athlete, I am not able to monetize on my NIL while I’m in the United States, but I’d love the opportunity to promote your business while I am back at home!
Health Science
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