Ian Simpson Wins 2013 Irish Open For $340k

English science teacher Ian Simpson has won the 2013 Irish Open, after defeating a field of 505 players over four days to capture the title, and collect the €265,000 ($339,604) first place prize.
Following his success at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, Ian Simpson asked for his girlfriend’s hand in marriage, who then duly accepted his marriage proposal. Commenting on his whole remarkable weekend in Ireland, Simpson explained: “Winning a tournament of this scale is life changing. Winning Emma’s hand in marriage even more so. For the stars to align to allow both things to happen simultaneously is simply perfect.”
As the €2k Main Event reached its final phase, five of the eight competitors at the final table were Irish. Leading the way was the chip leader Tom Brady (3.67), followed by his nearest rival USA’s Calvin Anderson (3.61m) and Iraq’s Namir Mohammed (2.9m). England’s Ian Simpson (1.45m) was lying in 4th spot, whilst also vying for the title was Adam Fallon (1.37m), Declan Connolly (1.2m), Mark Davis (684k) and Michael Farrelly (683k).
Namir Mohamed (A-K) then proceeded to eliminate Adam Fallon (A-J) in 8th for €20,500, followed by Tom Brady in 7th (€28,000).
Next, Ian Simpson (J-J) dispatched a short-stacked Declan Connolly (9-7) to the rail in 6th (€37,500), while Michael Farrelly (3-3) won a preflop all-in battle of the blinds against Calvin Anderson (Q-5), who subsequently found himself on the rail in 5th for €49,000.
Ian Simpson’s pocket tens then held against Namir Mohamed’s A-Q on a J-5-8-3-6 board, who picked up €67,500 for his 4th place finish, and after Simpson (7-7) did likewise to Mark Davis (A-7) in 3rd (€99,000), the heads-up phase of the competition got underway.
At this stage, Ian Simpson held an 11.5 million to 3.4 million chip advantage over Michael Farrelly, and three hands later it was all over with both Simpson (4d-3d) and Farrelly (7-4) all-in on a Qd-5-6 flop. The turn subsequently produced an 8d to complete Farrelly’s straight, but a 2d on the river made Simpson the flush, to secure him the title of 2013 Irish Open champion.
The final table payouts were as follows:
1. Ian Simpson- €265,000
2. Michael Farrelly – €141,500
3. Mark Davis – €99,000
4. Namir Mohamed – €67,500
5. Calvin Anderson – €49,000
6. Declan Connolly – €37,500
7. Tom Brady – €28,000
8. Adam Fallon – €20,500