Sam Murphy and Aine Donegan are lighting up the golf world from opposite ends of the globe, proving that inspiration knows no boundaries. Both golfers are under the tutelage of Glenlo Abbey coach Gary Madden, and their recent performances have been nothing short of remarkable.
Donegan, making her professional debut at the Ford Women's NSW Open in Australia, fired an impressive second-round 63 to seize the early halfway lead. Her performance was clearly fueled by the recent success of her fellow trainee, Murphy.
"Sam was very inspiring!" Donegan shared, giving credit to their shared coach, Madden, for his exceptional guidance.
Meanwhile, Murphy continues to make waves on the Alps Tour. Just days after clinching his first professional win at the Ein Bay Open, he opened the 2026 New Giza Open in Cairo with a dazzling seven-under 65. This bogey-free round put him at the top of the leaderboard, one shot ahead of Italy's Luca Memeo and two clear of a pack that includes last week’s Red Sea Little Venice Open champion, Andrea Romano.
Reflecting on his round, Murphy said, “My game felt really solid again. I drove the ball well, gave myself plenty of good opportunities, and hit my irons beautifully.”
Hitting all 18 greens certainly made the day less stressful, even with challenging conditions. “I’m absolutely delighted with the round.
It’s a great way to start the tournament, and now the goal is to build on it with another solid, steady round tomorrow.”
As night fell, play was halted, leaving some groups unable to complete their rounds. Among those still in contention, Robert Moran sits joint 29th after a 71, while Cathal MacCanna is tied for 41st with an even-par 72. Hugh Foley, with a 74, finds himself joint 66th, with only the top 40 professionals and ties advancing to Sunday’s final round.
Murphy and Donegan's performances are a testament to their talent and the expert coaching they receive. As they continue to push each other from afar, the golf world watches eagerly to see where their journeys will lead next.