Michael Judge has won the Presidents Cup after a dramatic comeback final victory over David Hogan in Carlow.
Judge, a quarter-finalist in the recent IBSF World Amateur Championship, trailed Hogan 3-0 but four frames on the spin saw the 41 year-old snatch the triumph from the jaws of defeat.
Judge had earlier on Sunday beaten Jonathan Williams in the semi-finals 4-1, having recorded deciding frame wins over Rodney Goggins and Greg Casey on Saturday.
Former professional Hogan had enjoyed a more straightforward route to the final, losing only three frames in his first five encounters – including a 4-0 drubbing of John Farrell in the last four.
It looked as though the 28 year-old was continuing in similar fashion when he raced into the big lead in his showdown with Judge, but a first ranking event success since 2012 for the Tipperary player will have to wait.
With the title and 100 ranking points, Judge leaps into top spot in the latest standings ahead of Brendan O’Donoghue and TJ Dowling, the first two champions of the season who both went out in the last 16 at the Ivy Rooms.
The former was downed in a final frame shoot-out by Williams, and the ‘Sniper’ will be on hand later this week for his synopsis of the weekend’s action.
Keep an eye out for that.
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