By: Nicholas Pursley
ODESSA, Texas – UTPB Men's Golf is continuing to build off its most successful season in program history with the addition of
Oscar Murphy from Portrush, Northern Ireland to its 2023 signing class.
Murphy was an extremely decorated player at the junior level, qualifying for two U.S. Kids World Teen Golf Championships in 2018 and 2019 as well as the IMG Junior World Championship in 2018. He won the Irish Junior Open U12 in 2017 and captained his school to a victory at the British School Middle East games in Dubai. He also won the James Brankin Trophy at his home club of Royal Portrush – site of the 2019 and 2025 Open Championships.
The Northern Irishman is most known for his viral shot during the 2018 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, where the then 13-year-old hit his tee shot closer than both Tommy Fleetwood and then world No. 1 Dustin Johnson and was able to match his hero Rory McIlroy.
In an allusion to his future home, Murphy won the HSBC Future Falcon event in order to get the opportunity to compete with his home-nation's hero Rory McIlroy.
Recently, he's won The Golf College's 2022 College Amateur Championship – a four-day match play event – and was selected to play for Ulster's U18 team in the Interprovincial Championship in Ireland. There he won five of his six matches and went undefeated in singles.
His career low score is a 64 (-6) at Lindfield Golf Club at The Golf College Order of Merit event, which he won last May.
Raised by his parents Melanie and Damian, Murphy is ready to start his career with the Falcons.
"I'm so excited to get started at UTPB as I see Coach Wittenbach's vision for the golf programs future, as he is recruiting some top players, and hopefully bringing silverware back to the falcon family!"
Head coach
Kyle Wittenbach sees enormous potential in his new recruit.
"Oscar has a solid technical foundation and has the 'it' factor that all good coaches want," Wittenbach said.
Follow UTPB Men's Golf on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @utpbfalconsgolf.
