Graeme McDowell, the joint winner of The European Tour Race to Dubai Golfer of the Year with German Martin Kaymer, has been named 2010 RTE Sportsperson of the Year.
The Portrush star picked up the award from Ireland's national television and radio broadcaster after a stunning year which saw him win the Celtic Manor Wales Open and the Andalucia Valderrama Masters on The European Tour,Graeme won his 1st Major when he collected the US Open, holed the winning putt to clinch the Ryder Cup for Europe and ended the year with victory in the Chevron World Challenge in the US, beating Tiger Woods in a play-off.
The new year saw Graeme pick up even more awards. He won the " shot of the year " for his approach to the par 4, 16th for a winning birdie that won the Ryder Cup for Europe and on January 1st was awarded the MBE in the New Years Honour's list.
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Monday 27 December 2010
Sunday 12 December 2010
McDowell pips Tiger in the Nedbank Challenge.
Graeme McDowell is walking on air after his 2010 golf year.Having taken up an invitation last year from Tiger to play in the Nedbank Challenge tournament he finished 2nd which moved him into the worlds top 50.
It was like the break he needed. This year Graeme won the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, then followed up his trilling win at the US Open. Won the battle with Damien McGrane & Gareth Maybin to win the Andalucia Masters at Vallderamma and now with a fantastic play off victory over Tiger Woods at the Nedbank Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in California he can look forward to the 2011 season as the Worlds No 7 golfer.
It was like the break he needed. This year Graeme won the Wales Open at Celtic Manor, then followed up his trilling win at the US Open. Won the battle with Damien McGrane & Gareth Maybin to win the Andalucia Masters at Vallderamma and now with a fantastic play off victory over Tiger Woods at the Nedbank Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in California he can look forward to the 2011 season as the Worlds No 7 golfer.
Ireland down to 10 players for the 2011 European season.
Over 1,000 hopeful's entered the qualifing school looking for one of the 30 cards available for the 2011 European golf tour.Amoungst them were 48 Irish Amateur & Professionals.
After stage one only 9 of the 48 survived. Damien Mooney thanks to a 2nd round of 66 at the windsweeped Dundonald links in Scotland took 2nd place on 2 over par. He was joined by Gareth Shaw, Michael Collins, Barrie Trainor and Irish PGA Champion David Mortimer.
Michael McGeady was 3rd best qualifier at the London Club and was joined by Niall Turner. Mervyn Owens & ex professional footballer Stephen Grant came through at the Fleesensee golf club in Germany.
The 9 were joined at stage two by John kelly, Gary Murphy, Johnny Caldwell & Niall Kearney.The 13 Irish were spread out over 4 courses in Spain with only 2 making it through to the final stage.
Once again Damien Mooney was in great form. He hit rounds of 70,70,69 and 72 to easily sail through in 3rd place on 7 under par at the Costa Ballena course. He was joined by 23 year old Niall Kearney who hit a 65 in the 3rd round.
The only other one to come close was Warrenpoint golfer Barrie Trainor. Barrie took a triple bogey at the par 5, 16th hole in round one for a 75.He followed up with a 73, 67 & 70 at the El Valle course in Murcia to miss out by one shot for a place in the final qualifing.
Mooney and Kearney were joined by Colm Moriarty from the Challenge tour and Simon Thornton from the main tour for a 6 round marathon at the PGA Catalunya complex in Northern Spain. 176 players played 72 holes with the top 70 making it through to the final 36 holes.
Mooney was the best starter with a 68 but he followed up with a 75 & 77. His final round of 67 was not enough to get him through to the final 36 holes. Colm Moriarty took 5 shots too many with rounds of 74,69,72 and 71. Simon Thornton was unlucky. He hit scores of 72,69,68 and 73 to miss the 3 under par cut by one shot. The only Irish survivor was Dublin's Niall Kearney. Kearney was in trouble with an opening 76 before recovering with a 65, 67 and 72 to go through on -4. He fell back over the final 36 holes with 76/72 to finish on level par, but can still take some satisfaction with a Challenge tour card for 2011.
Simon Wakefield won the school with a 6 round total of 21 under par. With no Irish qualifiers and having lost Gary Murphy & Simon Thornton, we will have only 10 players on tour for the 2011 European Tour.
After stage one only 9 of the 48 survived. Damien Mooney thanks to a 2nd round of 66 at the windsweeped Dundonald links in Scotland took 2nd place on 2 over par. He was joined by Gareth Shaw, Michael Collins, Barrie Trainor and Irish PGA Champion David Mortimer.
Michael McGeady was 3rd best qualifier at the London Club and was joined by Niall Turner. Mervyn Owens & ex professional footballer Stephen Grant came through at the Fleesensee golf club in Germany.
The 9 were joined at stage two by John kelly, Gary Murphy, Johnny Caldwell & Niall Kearney.The 13 Irish were spread out over 4 courses in Spain with only 2 making it through to the final stage.
Once again Damien Mooney was in great form. He hit rounds of 70,70,69 and 72 to easily sail through in 3rd place on 7 under par at the Costa Ballena course. He was joined by 23 year old Niall Kearney who hit a 65 in the 3rd round.
The only other one to come close was Warrenpoint golfer Barrie Trainor. Barrie took a triple bogey at the par 5, 16th hole in round one for a 75.He followed up with a 73, 67 & 70 at the El Valle course in Murcia to miss out by one shot for a place in the final qualifing.
Mooney and Kearney were joined by Colm Moriarty from the Challenge tour and Simon Thornton from the main tour for a 6 round marathon at the PGA Catalunya complex in Northern Spain. 176 players played 72 holes with the top 70 making it through to the final 36 holes.
Mooney was the best starter with a 68 but he followed up with a 75 & 77. His final round of 67 was not enough to get him through to the final 36 holes. Colm Moriarty took 5 shots too many with rounds of 74,69,72 and 71. Simon Thornton was unlucky. He hit scores of 72,69,68 and 73 to miss the 3 under par cut by one shot. The only Irish survivor was Dublin's Niall Kearney. Kearney was in trouble with an opening 76 before recovering with a 65, 67 and 72 to go through on -4. He fell back over the final 36 holes with 76/72 to finish on level par, but can still take some satisfaction with a Challenge tour card for 2011.
Simon Wakefield won the school with a 6 round total of 21 under par. With no Irish qualifiers and having lost Gary Murphy & Simon Thornton, we will have only 10 players on tour for the 2011 European Tour.
Pablo Martin defends his Alfred Dunhill title.
Pablo Martin overcame a back-nine blip to successfully defend his Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club,in South Africa. This tournament signals the start of the 2011 year even though it is played in early December.
Having gone five shots clear at the start of the back nine, the Spaniard saw his lead reduced to one after a triple bogey at the 17th. He held his nerve to birdie the last for a third European Tour title with an 11 under pat total and a 2 shot win from Thorbjorn Olesen, Charl Schwartzel and Anthony Michael.
The best of the Irish was Belfast man Michael Hoey. Hoey hit 74 and followed up with 3 rounds of 72 to claim a share of 30th on 2 over par. Damien McGrane struggled on the greens to finish down in 43rd place on 5 over par and just like Hoey he failed to break par on any round.
Gary Murphy lost his tour card for the 2011 season and failed to come through the 2nd stage of qualifing. He got an invite to the Alfred Dunhill but failed to take advantage when he scored 74/73 to miss the cut by 1 shot.
Johhny Caldwell also got a start without a tour card, but never got to grips with the course. He struggled with rounds of 79 and 77 to miss the cut by 10 shots on +12.
.
Having gone five shots clear at the start of the back nine, the Spaniard saw his lead reduced to one after a triple bogey at the 17th. He held his nerve to birdie the last for a third European Tour title with an 11 under pat total and a 2 shot win from Thorbjorn Olesen, Charl Schwartzel and Anthony Michael.
The best of the Irish was Belfast man Michael Hoey. Hoey hit 74 and followed up with 3 rounds of 72 to claim a share of 30th on 2 over par. Damien McGrane struggled on the greens to finish down in 43rd place on 5 over par and just like Hoey he failed to break par on any round.
Gary Murphy lost his tour card for the 2011 season and failed to come through the 2nd stage of qualifing. He got an invite to the Alfred Dunhill but failed to take advantage when he scored 74/73 to miss the cut by 1 shot.
Johhny Caldwell also got a start without a tour card, but never got to grips with the course. He struggled with rounds of 79 and 77 to miss the cut by 10 shots on +12.
.
Monday 6 December 2010
European Tour Race to Dubai order of merit 2010.
1 Martin Kaymer €4,461,011
2 GRAEME MCDOWELL €3,896,996
3 Lee Westwood €3,222,423
4 Ian Poulter €3,027,008
5 Francesco Molinari €2,799,692
6 Robert Karlsson €2,296,486
7 Ernie Els €2,261,607
8 Charl Schwartzel €2,207,965
9 Miguel Angel Jimenez €2,179,418
10 Louis Oosthuizen €2,070,763
11 Edoardo Molinari €2,009,337
12 Paul Casey €1,888,850
13 RORY MCILROY €1,821,050
14 Alvaro Quiros €1,750,255
15 Luke Donald €1,678,072
16 Ross Fisher €1,393,686
17 Peter Hanson €1,322,391
18 Rhys Davies €1,218,636
19 Anders Hansen €1,166,041
20 PADRAIG HARRINGTON €1,145,017
Other Irish
---------------
30 Darren Clarke €892,388
36 Peter Lawrie €845,718
40 Gareth Maybin €784,076
41 Damien Mcgrane €782,719
62 Shane Lowry €501,728
90 Michael Hoey €322,120
123 Paul McGinley €159,770
141 Simon Thornton €116,954
194 Colm Moriarty €43,770
227 Gary Murphy €19,152
2 GRAEME MCDOWELL €3,896,996
3 Lee Westwood €3,222,423
4 Ian Poulter €3,027,008
5 Francesco Molinari €2,799,692
6 Robert Karlsson €2,296,486
7 Ernie Els €2,261,607
8 Charl Schwartzel €2,207,965
9 Miguel Angel Jimenez €2,179,418
10 Louis Oosthuizen €2,070,763
11 Edoardo Molinari €2,009,337
12 Paul Casey €1,888,850
13 RORY MCILROY €1,821,050
14 Alvaro Quiros €1,750,255
15 Luke Donald €1,678,072
16 Ross Fisher €1,393,686
17 Peter Hanson €1,322,391
18 Rhys Davies €1,218,636
19 Anders Hansen €1,166,041
20 PADRAIG HARRINGTON €1,145,017
Other Irish
---------------
30 Darren Clarke €892,388
36 Peter Lawrie €845,718
40 Gareth Maybin €784,076
41 Damien Mcgrane €782,719
62 Shane Lowry €501,728
90 Michael Hoey €322,120
123 Paul McGinley €159,770
141 Simon Thornton €116,954
194 Colm Moriarty €43,770
227 Gary Murphy €19,152
USPGA Tour final order of merit 2010.
The end of a long season on the USPGA Tour took place at the . Matt Kuchar took the top spot for the first time with a grand total of $4,910,477. Kuchar was just over $100,000 ahead of FedEx Cup and Golfer of the year, Jim Furyk
As a non tour member Graeme McDowell only played in 10 events but managed to finish in 50th place on the merit table, thanks to his brilliant win in the US Open. Rory McIlroy took home over $2.5 Million from 16 outings and a win at Quail Hollow.
Padraig Harrington played in 18 tournaments and finished 64th with $1,381,453. Tiger Woods failed to win a tournament in 2010. He only played in 12 outings and took home $1,294,765 and finished 68th in the order of merit.There was 90 players who won more than $1 Million.
1 Matt Kuchar 26 events $4,910,477
2 Jim Furyk 21 events $4,809,622
3 Ernie Els 20 events $4,558,861
4 Dustin Johnson 23 events $4,473,122
5 Steve Stricker 19 events $4,190,235
6 Phil Mickelson 20 events $3,821,733
7 Luke Donald 20 events $3,665,234
8 Paul Casey 17 events $3,613,194
9 Justin Rose 22 events $3,603,331
10 Hunter Mahan 25 events $3,574,550
Irish Players.
----------------
26 Rory McIlroy 16 events $2,554,280
50 Graeme McDowell 10 events $1,589,337
64 Padraig Harrington 18 events $1,381,453
As a non tour member Graeme McDowell only played in 10 events but managed to finish in 50th place on the merit table, thanks to his brilliant win in the US Open. Rory McIlroy took home over $2.5 Million from 16 outings and a win at Quail Hollow.
Padraig Harrington played in 18 tournaments and finished 64th with $1,381,453. Tiger Woods failed to win a tournament in 2010. He only played in 12 outings and took home $1,294,765 and finished 68th in the order of merit.There was 90 players who won more than $1 Million.
1 Matt Kuchar 26 events $4,910,477
2 Jim Furyk 21 events $4,809,622
3 Ernie Els 20 events $4,558,861
4 Dustin Johnson 23 events $4,473,122
5 Steve Stricker 19 events $4,190,235
6 Phil Mickelson 20 events $3,821,733
7 Luke Donald 20 events $3,665,234
8 Paul Casey 17 events $3,613,194
9 Justin Rose 22 events $3,603,331
10 Hunter Mahan 25 events $3,574,550
Irish Players.
----------------
26 Rory McIlroy 16 events $2,554,280
50 Graeme McDowell 10 events $1,589,337
64 Padraig Harrington 18 events $1,381,453
Sunday 5 December 2010
Westwood cruises to Nedbank Challenge win..
1 Lee Westwood 68 64 71 68 ( -17. )
2 Tim Clark 73 67 68 71 ( -9. )
T3 Retief Goosen 72 70 70 68 ( -8. )
T3 Miguel Angel Jimenez 69 69 71 71 ( -8. )
T5 Ernie Els 71 68 71 73 ( -5. )
T5 Ross Fisher 67 68 73 75 ( -5. )
T7 Robert Allenby 70 70 73 72 ( -3. )
T7 Padraig Harrington 66 72 72 75 ( -3. )
T9 Anders Hansen 72 70 68 76 ( -2. )
T9 Justin Rose 70 72 72 72 ( -2. )
11 Edoardo Molinari 71 67 73 76 ( -1. )
12 Louis Oosthuizen 71 73 72 74 ( +2. )
2 Tim Clark 73 67 68 71 ( -9. )
T3 Retief Goosen 72 70 70 68 ( -8. )
T3 Miguel Angel Jimenez 69 69 71 71 ( -8. )
T5 Ernie Els 71 68 71 73 ( -5. )
T5 Ross Fisher 67 68 73 75 ( -5. )
T7 Robert Allenby 70 70 73 72 ( -3. )
T7 Padraig Harrington 66 72 72 75 ( -3. )
T9 Anders Hansen 72 70 68 76 ( -2. )
T9 Justin Rose 70 72 72 72 ( -2. )
11 Edoardo Molinari 71 67 73 76 ( -1. )
12 Louis Oosthuizen 71 73 72 74 ( +2. )
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Karlsson beats Poulter in play-off to win final 2010 tournament in Dubai.
Robert Karlsson overcame Ian Poulter in a play-off to win the Dubai World Championship in the Jumeirah Golf Estates after they tied on 14 under par.
Poulter was 3 ahead at the start of the final round but Karlsson wasn't long catching him when he was 4 under par after the first 3 holes. They were round in 67 and 70 respectively and so sudden death decided who won the first prize of €910,348.
Both birdied the first extra hole after hitting approaches within five feet, and at the second extra hole Poulter mis-cued his sand wedge approach to leave a 30 foot putt.
Karlsson was precise again, his ball finishing three feet from the cup, and to make matters worse Poulter then picked up a one shot penalty when he dropped his ball on his marker and moved it. Karlsson was taking no chances and duly birdied for a fine victory.
It was another fine performance from Holywood's Rory McIlroy. He finished 5th on his own on 12 under par after he stormed home over the two closing rounds with a 66 & 67.
Graeme McDowell was needing a win to beat Martin Kaymer to the title of European No1, but he struggled over the opening rounds with a 72 & 73. He recovered with closing rounds of 69 and 68 for a share of 13th place alongside Peter Lawrie on -6.
Darren Clarke finished in 28th on -2 and with a cheque for €49,432 grabbed the 30th spot on the order of merit which gives him a place in next years Open Championship.
It wasn't a great week for Padraig Harrington. He opened with a 74 and closed with a 76 for a share of 39th on 1 over par. Gareth Maybin struggled with the course and ended in 55th spot on 9 over par, while the usually steady Damien McGrane was 13 over par to finish in 59th place.
Poulter was 3 ahead at the start of the final round but Karlsson wasn't long catching him when he was 4 under par after the first 3 holes. They were round in 67 and 70 respectively and so sudden death decided who won the first prize of €910,348.
Both birdied the first extra hole after hitting approaches within five feet, and at the second extra hole Poulter mis-cued his sand wedge approach to leave a 30 foot putt.
Karlsson was precise again, his ball finishing three feet from the cup, and to make matters worse Poulter then picked up a one shot penalty when he dropped his ball on his marker and moved it. Karlsson was taking no chances and duly birdied for a fine victory.
It was another fine performance from Holywood's Rory McIlroy. He finished 5th on his own on 12 under par after he stormed home over the two closing rounds with a 66 & 67.
Graeme McDowell was needing a win to beat Martin Kaymer to the title of European No1, but he struggled over the opening rounds with a 72 & 73. He recovered with closing rounds of 69 and 68 for a share of 13th place alongside Peter Lawrie on -6.
Darren Clarke finished in 28th on -2 and with a cheque for €49,432 grabbed the 30th spot on the order of merit which gives him a place in next years Open Championship.
It wasn't a great week for Padraig Harrington. He opened with a 74 and closed with a 76 for a share of 39th on 1 over par. Gareth Maybin struggled with the course and ended in 55th spot on 9 over par, while the usually steady Damien McGrane was 13 over par to finish in 59th place.
Sunday 28 November 2010
THE RACE TO DUBAI ON THE 2011 EUROPEAN TOUR INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE
2010
Dec 9‐12 Alfred Dunhill Championship Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa
16‐19 South African Open Championship Durban CC, Durban, South Africa
2011
Jan 6‐9 Africa Open East London GC, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
13‐16 Joburg Open Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC, Johannesburg, South Africa
20‐23 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, UAE
27‐ 30 Volvo Golf Champions The Royal Golf Club, Kingdom of Bahrain
Feb 3‐6 Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy Doha GC, Doha, Qatar
10‐13 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE
17‐20 Avantha Masters DLF G&CC, New Delhi, India
23‐27 WGC ‐ Accenture Match Play Championship Ritz‐Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA
Mar 10‐13 World Golf Championship Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Doral, Florida, USA
17‐20 Sicilian Open Golf Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA, Sicily, Italy
24‐27 Open de Andalucia de Golf Parador de Málaga Golf, Málaga, Spain
31‐3 Apr Trophée Hassan II Golf du Palais Royal and Golf de L’Océan, Agadir, Morocco
Apr 7‐10 MASTERS TOURNAMENT Augusta National GC, Georgia, USA
14‐17 Maybank Malaysian Open TBA
21‐24 Volvo China Open TBA
28–1 May Ballantine's Championship Blackstone GC, Icheon, Seoul, South Korea
May 5‐8 Open de España TBA
12‐15 Iberdrola Open Pula GC, Son Servera, Mallorca, Spain
19‐22 Volvo World Match Play Championship Finca Cortesin, Casares, Andalucia, Spain
19‐22 Madeira Islands Open BPI ‐ Portugal Porto Santo Golfe, Madeira, Portugal
26‐29 BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Wentworth Club, Surrey, England
Jun 2‐5 The Celtic Manor Wales Open The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales
9‐12 BMW Italian Open Royal Park I Roveri, Turin, Italy
16‐19 US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Congressional CC, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
16‐19 SAINT‐OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC Aa Saint Omer GC, Lumbres, France
23‐26 BMW International Open Golfclub München Eichenried, Munich, Germany
30‐3 Jul Alstom Open de France Le Golf National, Paris, France
Jul 7‐10 The Barclays Scottish Open TBA
14‐17 THE 140th OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Royal St George's GC, Sandwich, Kent
21‐24 Nordea Scandinavian Masters Bro Hof Slott GC, Stockholm, Sweden
28‐31 Irish Open TBA
Aug 4‐7 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio, USA
11‐14 US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia, USA
18‐21 Czech Open Prosper Golf Resort, Čeladná, Czech Republic
25‐28 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland
Sept 1‐4 Omega European Masters Crans‐sur‐Sierre, Crans Montana, Switzerland
8‐11 KLM Open Hilversumsche GC, Hilversum, The Netherlands
15‐18 The Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros* Saint‐Nom‐la‐Bretèche, Paris, France
22‐25 Austrian GolfOpen Diamond CC, Atzenbrugg, Austria
29‐2 Oct Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Old Course, St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Scotland
Oct 6‐9 Madrid Masters TBA
13‐16 Portugal Masters TBA
20‐23 CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, Castellón, Valencia, Spain
27‐30 Andalucia Masters Venue TBA, Andalucia, Spain
Nov 3‐6 WGC ‐ HSBC Champions Shanghai, China
10‐13 Barclays Singapore Open The Tanjong & The Serapong, Sentosa GC, Singapore
17‐20 Iskandar Johor Open TBA
24‐27 Omega Mission Hills World Cup Mission Hills Resort, Hainan Island, Southern China
Dec 1‐4 UBS Hong Kong Open Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong
8‐11 DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP presented by DP World Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE
Dec 9‐12 Alfred Dunhill Championship Leopard Creek CC, Malelane, South Africa
16‐19 South African Open Championship Durban CC, Durban, South Africa
2011
Jan 6‐9 Africa Open East London GC, East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa
13‐16 Joburg Open Royal Johannesburg & Kensington GC, Johannesburg, South Africa
20‐23 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship Abu Dhabi GC, Abu Dhabi, UAE
27‐ 30 Volvo Golf Champions The Royal Golf Club, Kingdom of Bahrain
Feb 3‐6 Commercialbank Qatar Masters presented by Dolphin Energy Doha GC, Doha, Qatar
10‐13 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Emirates GC, Dubai, UAE
17‐20 Avantha Masters DLF G&CC, New Delhi, India
23‐27 WGC ‐ Accenture Match Play Championship Ritz‐Carlton GC, Dove Mountain, Marana, Arizona, USA
Mar 10‐13 World Golf Championship Doral Golf Resort & Spa, Doral, Florida, USA
17‐20 Sicilian Open Golf Donnafugata Golf Resort & SPA, Sicily, Italy
24‐27 Open de Andalucia de Golf Parador de Málaga Golf, Málaga, Spain
31‐3 Apr Trophée Hassan II Golf du Palais Royal and Golf de L’Océan, Agadir, Morocco
Apr 7‐10 MASTERS TOURNAMENT Augusta National GC, Georgia, USA
14‐17 Maybank Malaysian Open TBA
21‐24 Volvo China Open TBA
28–1 May Ballantine's Championship Blackstone GC, Icheon, Seoul, South Korea
May 5‐8 Open de España TBA
12‐15 Iberdrola Open Pula GC, Son Servera, Mallorca, Spain
19‐22 Volvo World Match Play Championship Finca Cortesin, Casares, Andalucia, Spain
19‐22 Madeira Islands Open BPI ‐ Portugal Porto Santo Golfe, Madeira, Portugal
26‐29 BMW PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Wentworth Club, Surrey, England
Jun 2‐5 The Celtic Manor Wales Open The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales
9‐12 BMW Italian Open Royal Park I Roveri, Turin, Italy
16‐19 US OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Congressional CC, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
16‐19 SAINT‐OMER OPEN presented by Neuflize OBC Aa Saint Omer GC, Lumbres, France
23‐26 BMW International Open Golfclub München Eichenried, Munich, Germany
30‐3 Jul Alstom Open de France Le Golf National, Paris, France
Jul 7‐10 The Barclays Scottish Open TBA
14‐17 THE 140th OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP Royal St George's GC, Sandwich, Kent
21‐24 Nordea Scandinavian Masters Bro Hof Slott GC, Stockholm, Sweden
28‐31 Irish Open TBA
Aug 4‐7 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio, USA
11‐14 US PGA CHAMPIONSHIP Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia, USA
18‐21 Czech Open Prosper Golf Resort, Čeladná, Czech Republic
25‐28 Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles The Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire, Scotland
Sept 1‐4 Omega European Masters Crans‐sur‐Sierre, Crans Montana, Switzerland
8‐11 KLM Open Hilversumsche GC, Hilversum, The Netherlands
15‐18 The Vivendi Trophy with Seve Ballesteros* Saint‐Nom‐la‐Bretèche, Paris, France
22‐25 Austrian GolfOpen Diamond CC, Atzenbrugg, Austria
29‐2 Oct Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Old Course, St Andrews, Carnoustie, Kingsbarns, Scotland
Oct 6‐9 Madrid Masters TBA
13‐16 Portugal Masters TBA
20‐23 CASTELLÓ MASTERS Costa Azahar Club de Campo del Mediterráneo, Castellón, Valencia, Spain
27‐30 Andalucia Masters Venue TBA, Andalucia, Spain
Nov 3‐6 WGC ‐ HSBC Champions Shanghai, China
10‐13 Barclays Singapore Open The Tanjong & The Serapong, Sentosa GC, Singapore
17‐20 Iskandar Johor Open TBA
24‐27 Omega Mission Hills World Cup Mission Hills Resort, Hainan Island, Southern China
Dec 1‐4 UBS Hong Kong Open Hong Kong GC, Fanling, Hong Kong
8‐11 DUBAI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP presented by DP World Jumeirah Golf Estates, Dubai, UAE
Thursday 25 November 2010
Ian Poulter wins in Hong Kong.
Ian Poulter landed his tenth European Tour title by holding off all challengers at the UBS Hong Kong Open. The win was always on the cards after opening with a 67 and then followed up with a second round of 60 to take the lead into the weekend.
The 34 year old, who narrowly missed out at last week's Barclays Singapore Open, closed with rounds of 64 & 67 to finish with a 22 under par aggregate of 258.
That was one clear of compatriot Simon Dyson and Italy's 17 year old superstar Matteo Manassero, who closed with a round of 62. In truth Poulter never looked like relinquishing the advantage he had held since the second round.
A bogey at the last after his approach found the bunker slightly spoiled his card, but three birdies on the front nine and a brilliant eagle at the par five 13th - where he nailed his drive then faded a fairway wood approach to 12 feet - secured victory.
Graeme McDowell was in the shake up all weekend. He shot 65,65,63 and 68 to finish on 19 under par and in 5th place. Rory McIlroy had another fine tournament when he finished 6th on his own with rounds of 63,66,66 and 67 ( 18 under par.)
Gareth Maybin stormed through the field during the final round with a best of the day 61. He finished in 7th place on 17 under par and won €46,665. Damien McGrane was also in good form on the last day. He fired a 63 that left him 15 under par and in a share of 11th place.
Darren Clarke started poorly with a 72 but he recovered with rounds of 64,64 and 68 to share 19th place on 12 under par. Michael Hoey was 25th on 9 under par, Peter Lawrie was 47th on 5 under par and Paul McGinley took 73/73 over the weekend to finish 64th and last on 3 over par.
Shane Lowry needed a good week to make the top 60 that would have earned him a place in the Race to Dubai tournament, but unfortunately missed the 2 under par cut mark by 3 shots after rounds of 68 and 73.
The 34 year old, who narrowly missed out at last week's Barclays Singapore Open, closed with rounds of 64 & 67 to finish with a 22 under par aggregate of 258.
That was one clear of compatriot Simon Dyson and Italy's 17 year old superstar Matteo Manassero, who closed with a round of 62. In truth Poulter never looked like relinquishing the advantage he had held since the second round.
A bogey at the last after his approach found the bunker slightly spoiled his card, but three birdies on the front nine and a brilliant eagle at the par five 13th - where he nailed his drive then faded a fairway wood approach to 12 feet - secured victory.
Graeme McDowell was in the shake up all weekend. He shot 65,65,63 and 68 to finish on 19 under par and in 5th place. Rory McIlroy had another fine tournament when he finished 6th on his own with rounds of 63,66,66 and 67 ( 18 under par.)
Gareth Maybin stormed through the field during the final round with a best of the day 61. He finished in 7th place on 17 under par and won €46,665. Damien McGrane was also in good form on the last day. He fired a 63 that left him 15 under par and in a share of 11th place.
Darren Clarke started poorly with a 72 but he recovered with rounds of 64,64 and 68 to share 19th place on 12 under par. Michael Hoey was 25th on 9 under par, Peter Lawrie was 47th on 5 under par and Paul McGinley took 73/73 over the weekend to finish 64th and last on 3 over par.
Shane Lowry needed a good week to make the top 60 that would have earned him a place in the Race to Dubai tournament, but unfortunately missed the 2 under par cut mark by 3 shots after rounds of 68 and 73.
Sunday 7 November 2010
Francesco Molinari holds off the challenge of Westwood to win in Shanghai.
Francesco Molinari claimed a stunning wire-to-wire victory with rounds of 65, 70, 67 and 67 ( -19 ) at the World Golf Championships – HSBC Champions at the Sheshan International GC in Shanghai, following a titanic battle with World Number One Lee Westwood. The win earned Molinari €860,153 and moved him up to 4th on the Race to Dubai table.
The future looks bright for Italy. Francesco Molinari,is the 3rd Italian to win this year after his brother Edoardo won the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and the Johnny Walker Classic at Gleneagles, then teenager Matteo Menassero became the youngest ever European winner when he won the Castello Masters in Valencia, Spain.
Westwood produced a superb display throughout the week to illustrate why he has moved to the top of the Official World Golf Rankings. He hit rounds of 66, 70, 67 and 67 ( -18 ) but came up one shot shy of the great golf played by Molinari, but was 9 shots clear of Luke Donald and Richie Ramsay in joint 3rd place.
Rory McIlroy went to 1 over par after 13 holes of the 3rd round, before fighting back with 4 birdies over the last 5 holes to stay in contention with a 3rd round of 71. McIlroy once again showed his class with a final round of 67 to make his way right through the field to finish in solo 5th place on 8 under par. The prize of €179,199 takes Rory into 13th place on the Race to Dubai table with €1,375,399.
It was another up and down week for Padraig Harrington, when he scored everything from a 2 to a 7 over the 4 rounds. Padraig hit rounds of 70, 70, 70 and 73 for a share of 16th on 5 under par. He made an eagle 3 at the 18th in round two, then when struggling in the 3rd round, he holed his 2nd shot for an albatross at the 594 yard 14th hole. In the final round he made a birdie 2 at the 17th to reach 7 under par, only to find water at the 18th for a double bogey 7.
Graeme McDowell never got to grips with the course until the final round. He had 74, 71, 73, and a 69 for a share of 34th place on 1 under par.
The future looks bright for Italy. Francesco Molinari,is the 3rd Italian to win this year after his brother Edoardo won the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond and the Johnny Walker Classic at Gleneagles, then teenager Matteo Menassero became the youngest ever European winner when he won the Castello Masters in Valencia, Spain.
Westwood produced a superb display throughout the week to illustrate why he has moved to the top of the Official World Golf Rankings. He hit rounds of 66, 70, 67 and 67 ( -18 ) but came up one shot shy of the great golf played by Molinari, but was 9 shots clear of Luke Donald and Richie Ramsay in joint 3rd place.
Rory McIlroy went to 1 over par after 13 holes of the 3rd round, before fighting back with 4 birdies over the last 5 holes to stay in contention with a 3rd round of 71. McIlroy once again showed his class with a final round of 67 to make his way right through the field to finish in solo 5th place on 8 under par. The prize of €179,199 takes Rory into 13th place on the Race to Dubai table with €1,375,399.
It was another up and down week for Padraig Harrington, when he scored everything from a 2 to a 7 over the 4 rounds. Padraig hit rounds of 70, 70, 70 and 73 for a share of 16th on 5 under par. He made an eagle 3 at the 18th in round two, then when struggling in the 3rd round, he holed his 2nd shot for an albatross at the 594 yard 14th hole. In the final round he made a birdie 2 at the 17th to reach 7 under par, only to find water at the 18th for a double bogey 7.
Graeme McDowell never got to grips with the course until the final round. He had 74, 71, 73, and a 69 for a share of 34th place on 1 under par.
Sunday 31 October 2010
Graeme McDowell wins the Irish battle at Valderrama.
US Open Champion, Graeme McDowell held off the challenge of fellow countrymen, Gareth Maybin and Damien McGrane to claim a 2 shot victory at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters in Sotogrande, Spain.
On a day when strong winds made low scoring extremely difficult, McDowell went round in 74 to finish on three under par, two ahead of Maybin, McGrane and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen.
It was a great battle all the way between the 3 Irish players, but it was the experience of US Open champion McDowell who keep his cool over the tough closing stretch for a fantastic victory. It has been a wonderful year for the Rathmore man as he earlier won the Wales Open, US Open, clinched the winning point in the Ryder Cup and now a place amongst the Worlds Top 10. McDowell collected the €500,000 first prize that brings his earnings to €2,638,866 this year with a lot of big money events yet to come.
Shane Lowry improved his order of merit position when he collected €37,300 for a share of 18th place on 6 over par. Darren Clarke closed with a 75 to share 26th place on 8 over par and win €27,600.
Michael Hoey took home €21,300 with a 10 over par score that shared 35th and Peter Lawrie found the going difficult over the weekend. He finished in 47th place on 13 over par and won €14,700.
Paul McGinley struggled over the opening rounds missing the +5 cut by 3 shots after scores of 74/75.
On a day when strong winds made low scoring extremely difficult, McDowell went round in 74 to finish on three under par, two ahead of Maybin, McGrane and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen.
It was a great battle all the way between the 3 Irish players, but it was the experience of US Open champion McDowell who keep his cool over the tough closing stretch for a fantastic victory. It has been a wonderful year for the Rathmore man as he earlier won the Wales Open, US Open, clinched the winning point in the Ryder Cup and now a place amongst the Worlds Top 10. McDowell collected the €500,000 first prize that brings his earnings to €2,638,866 this year with a lot of big money events yet to come.
Shane Lowry improved his order of merit position when he collected €37,300 for a share of 18th place on 6 over par. Darren Clarke closed with a 75 to share 26th place on 8 over par and win €27,600.
Michael Hoey took home €21,300 with a 10 over par score that shared 35th and Peter Lawrie found the going difficult over the weekend. He finished in 47th place on 13 over par and won €14,700.
Paul McGinley struggled over the opening rounds missing the +5 cut by 3 shots after scores of 74/75.
Monday 25 October 2010
Italian teenage sensation Matteo Manassero wins in Valencia.
17 year old Matteo Manassero broke a few records when he won the Castello Masters around the Club de Campo del Mediterraneo course in Valencia, Spain.
Matteo shot 68,66,67,67 ( -16 ) to become the youngest ever winner on the European Tour at the tender age of 17 years and 188 days. The previous holder New Zealand's Danny lee was more than a year older than Matteo at 18 years and 213 days. Matteo is now also the youngest ever full member of the European Tour, beating the legend Seve Ballesteros record by 12 days. He was granted full membership of the tour with earnings of €641,197 from 6 starts and now finds himself in 43rd place on the Race to Dubai league table.
Manassero afterwards admitted he had not expected his first win to come so soon. He was full of praise for his caddy, Ryan McGuigan from Coleraine.
It was another good week for Dubliner Peter Lawrie. A superb second round of 64 helped Lawrie to a share of 3rd place when he finished on 11 under par. Gareth Maybin got his game back on track after a few missed cuts. Maybin finished in a share of 19th place on 7 under par.
Damien McGrane started with a 5 over par 76. He then shot a 65 to easily make the cut and went on to finish in a share of 30th place on 5 under par. Paul McGinley was 51st on 1 under par. Shane Lowry took 76 in the 3rd round but still finished in 66th place on 3 over par but Michael Hoey had a poor finish, taking a 78 in the final round to finish in 72nd place on 6 over par.
Simon Thornton took 75 in round one and even though he recovered with a 70 in the 2nd round he missed the +1 cut by 2 shots.
Matteo shot 68,66,67,67 ( -16 ) to become the youngest ever winner on the European Tour at the tender age of 17 years and 188 days. The previous holder New Zealand's Danny lee was more than a year older than Matteo at 18 years and 213 days. Matteo is now also the youngest ever full member of the European Tour, beating the legend Seve Ballesteros record by 12 days. He was granted full membership of the tour with earnings of €641,197 from 6 starts and now finds himself in 43rd place on the Race to Dubai league table.
Manassero afterwards admitted he had not expected his first win to come so soon. He was full of praise for his caddy, Ryan McGuigan from Coleraine.
It was another good week for Dubliner Peter Lawrie. A superb second round of 64 helped Lawrie to a share of 3rd place when he finished on 11 under par. Gareth Maybin got his game back on track after a few missed cuts. Maybin finished in a share of 19th place on 7 under par.
Damien McGrane started with a 5 over par 76. He then shot a 65 to easily make the cut and went on to finish in a share of 30th place on 5 under par. Paul McGinley was 51st on 1 under par. Shane Lowry took 76 in the 3rd round but still finished in 66th place on 3 over par but Michael Hoey had a poor finish, taking a 78 in the final round to finish in 72nd place on 6 over par.
Simon Thornton took 75 in round one and even though he recovered with a 70 in the 2nd round he missed the +1 cut by 2 shots.
Korea win ladies Amateur world team championship.
The Korean Ladies team broke the scoring record in the World Amateur team championship in Buenos Aires in Argentina. With the top 2 scores to count from 3, they started slowly with a one under par score that left them 7 shots behind the USA team.
The second day Korea moved into the lead when Ji-Hee Kim shot a course record 63 and Jung-Eun Han had a 65. There 15 under par total moved them to 16 under and a one shot lead from the Americans.
The third day Hyun-Soo Kim was the star for Korea when she hit a 66, and with the other two scoring 68s they opened up an unbeatable 13 shot lead from the US.
The final round saw 17 year old Jung-Eun Han shot a 69 which gave her the individual prize with a 13 under par total of 275. Hyun-Soo Kim had a 70 to give Korea the record winning score of 30 under par 546, beating the US team by a record 17 shots.
Ireland sent their strongest possible team, but could only manage to finish in 11th place. 15 year old Leona Maguire scored 72, 70, 77, and 69. Her twin Lisa scored 73, 73, 70 and 74 while Danielle McVeigh never got to grips with the course, shot 72, 76, 79, 79.
The second day Korea moved into the lead when Ji-Hee Kim shot a course record 63 and Jung-Eun Han had a 65. There 15 under par total moved them to 16 under and a one shot lead from the Americans.
The third day Hyun-Soo Kim was the star for Korea when she hit a 66, and with the other two scoring 68s they opened up an unbeatable 13 shot lead from the US.
The final round saw 17 year old Jung-Eun Han shot a 69 which gave her the individual prize with a 13 under par total of 275. Hyun-Soo Kim had a 70 to give Korea the record winning score of 30 under par 546, beating the US team by a record 17 shots.
Ireland sent their strongest possible team, but could only manage to finish in 11th place. 15 year old Leona Maguire scored 72, 70, 77, and 69. Her twin Lisa scored 73, 73, 70 and 74 while Danielle McVeigh never got to grips with the course, shot 72, 76, 79, 79.
Monday 18 October 2010
Surprise win for left hander Green in Portugal.
Richard Green came from seven shots back to win the Portugal Masters with a brilliant closing 7 under par round of 65 over the Oceanico Victoria course in the Algarve. The Australian left-hander, thought he had blown his chances with bogies at the 16th and 18th to set a clubhouse target of 18 under par.
It looked for much of the afternoon that Green was going to be beaten to the title by Spain's Pablo Martin, who had a 7 shot advantage over Green starting the last round. Martin filtered away shot's, finding water on two occassions and finished up signing for a 75 that left him down in a share of 6th with Peter Lawrie on -15.
Ryder Cup player, Francesco Molinari returned his second 62 of the week to share 2nd place on 16 under par with Gonzalo Frez-Castano, Robert Karlsson and Joost Luiten.
Peter Lawrie had a great week, scoring 68,68,68,69 for a share of 6th place on 15 under par. He collected a cheque for €90,000. Damien McGrane was steady with rounds of 67,72,68,72 to collect €17,100 for 41st place. Michael Hoey won €13,800 for a share of 48th place on 8 under par. Paul McGinley and Shane Lowry took home €10,500 for a share of 54th on 6 under par.
The 36 hole cut came at 4 under par. Gareth Maybin can count himself unlucky when he hit 68/73 to miss out by one shot on 3 under par. Darren Clarke 72/71 was 1 under and Simon Thornton who only got a last minute call up when Danny Willett pulled out shot 72/74 to miss out by 6 shots.
It looked for much of the afternoon that Green was going to be beaten to the title by Spain's Pablo Martin, who had a 7 shot advantage over Green starting the last round. Martin filtered away shot's, finding water on two occassions and finished up signing for a 75 that left him down in a share of 6th with Peter Lawrie on -15.
Ryder Cup player, Francesco Molinari returned his second 62 of the week to share 2nd place on 16 under par with Gonzalo Frez-Castano, Robert Karlsson and Joost Luiten.
Peter Lawrie had a great week, scoring 68,68,68,69 for a share of 6th place on 15 under par. He collected a cheque for €90,000. Damien McGrane was steady with rounds of 67,72,68,72 to collect €17,100 for 41st place. Michael Hoey won €13,800 for a share of 48th place on 8 under par. Paul McGinley and Shane Lowry took home €10,500 for a share of 54th on 6 under par.
The 36 hole cut came at 4 under par. Gareth Maybin can count himself unlucky when he hit 68/73 to miss out by one shot on 3 under par. Darren Clarke 72/71 was 1 under and Simon Thornton who only got a last minute call up when Danny Willett pulled out shot 72/74 to miss out by 6 shots.
Sunday 17 October 2010
Higgins is crowned 1st "Race To Mount Juliet" Champion.
37 year old Waterville professional David Higgins was crowned the 1st Lexus " Race To Mount Juliet " Champion in association with Ping and Failte Ireland, after he returned a fantastic 7 under par 65 around the magnificent Mount Juliet championship course.
Higgins held the No1 position on the Irish PGA order of merit since he won the Quinn Insurance Pro - Am at Slieve Russell back in June with a 12 under par scoreline of 132. With further wins at Monkstown & Wexford, along with 4 runner up prizes kept him in pole position, until David Mortimer won the Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint.
The following week, David got back to No1 when he shared the winning score at Fota Island with Damien Mooney. The stage was set for a great battle at Mount Juliet with the top 30 from the Irish PGA order of merit lined up for an 18 hole shoot - out.
The final three ball was made up with the top 3 from the order of merit, David Higgins, David Mortimer and Damien Mooney. With so much at stake, all three got off to a slow nervous start. Higgins lost a shot at the 4th to go one over par, but settled down with birdies at the 7th and 8th to turn on one under par. Mooney was level par and Mortimer was one over par.
Higgins showed his quality over the back nine. He birdied the long 10th, short 11th and par 4, 12th. After finding the bunker at the short 14th, he ended all hopes of anybody catching him when he holed the bunker shot and then followed up with further birdies at the 15th & 17th for a brilliant round of 65 ( -7 ).Damien Mooney was runner up with a 3 under par 69 to move into 2nd place on the order of merit ahead of Irish Champion David Mortimer who had a poor round of 78.
The win was worth €4,000, plus as No1 on the order of merit Higgins picked up a €10,000 bonus. He is guaranteed a place in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and a place in next years Irish Open. Along with Damien Mooney and David Mortimer, Higgins will play in next months Srixron British & Irish PGA play - offs at Little Aston. The winner can expect at least a further 4 more invites to main European Tour tournaments.
The top 8 from the Irish PGA order of merit will play in next years Irish Open. They are David Higgins, Damien Mooney, David Mortimer, John Kelly, Darren McWilliams, Barrie Trainor, Michael Collins and Eamon Brady.
Michael McCumisky, secretary of the Irish PGA said " The race to Mount Juliet has been running since April and has been a great success. All credit goes to the sponsors, Lexus, Mount Juliet, Ping and Failte Ireland." He introduced the Irish PGA Captain, Eamonn Logue. Eamonn said " On behalf of all the Professionals I would like to thank Kevin O'Reilly from Lexus, Colin Donovan, General manager of the Mount Juliet estate, Brian O'Regan from Ping and Failte Ireland. The race to Mount Juliet generated a great interest for the Professionals all year and can only get bigger and better."
Final Race To Mount Juliet Results.
1 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 65 ( -7 ) €4,000.00 + ( €10,000. ) Bonus money.
2 Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 69 ( -3 ) €2,800.00 + ( €2,500. ) Bonus money.
3 Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com ) 71 €1,666.66
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 71 €1,666.66
Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) 71 €1,666.66
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny ) 71 €1,666.66
Robert Giles ( Greenore ) 71 €1,666.66
Glen Robinson ( St Helen's Bay ) 71 €1,666.66
9 Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 72 €1,012.50
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 72 €1,012.50
Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 72 €1,012.50
Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 72 €1,012.50
13 David Hughes ( Massereene ) 73 €608.00
John P. Dolan ( Dunfanaghy ) 73 €608.00
David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 73 €608.00
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 73 €608.00
Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf ) 73 €608.00
18 Peter Jones ( Coollattin ) 74 €510.00
Donald Gleeson ( Old Conna ) 74 €510.00
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 74 €510.00
Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne ) 74 €510.00
Michael McDermott ( Pure Golf Leopardstown ) 74 €510.00
23 Cian McNamara ( Limerick Golf Club ) 75 €475.00
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf ) 75 €475.00
25 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 76 €450.00
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 76 €450.00
John Kelly ( St.Margaret's Golf ) 76 €450.00
28 David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 78 €430.00 + ( €5,000 ) Bonus Money.
29 Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) RTD €415.00
Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy ) RTD €415.00
Higgins held the No1 position on the Irish PGA order of merit since he won the Quinn Insurance Pro - Am at Slieve Russell back in June with a 12 under par scoreline of 132. With further wins at Monkstown & Wexford, along with 4 runner up prizes kept him in pole position, until David Mortimer won the Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint.
The following week, David got back to No1 when he shared the winning score at Fota Island with Damien Mooney. The stage was set for a great battle at Mount Juliet with the top 30 from the Irish PGA order of merit lined up for an 18 hole shoot - out.
The final three ball was made up with the top 3 from the order of merit, David Higgins, David Mortimer and Damien Mooney. With so much at stake, all three got off to a slow nervous start. Higgins lost a shot at the 4th to go one over par, but settled down with birdies at the 7th and 8th to turn on one under par. Mooney was level par and Mortimer was one over par.
Higgins showed his quality over the back nine. He birdied the long 10th, short 11th and par 4, 12th. After finding the bunker at the short 14th, he ended all hopes of anybody catching him when he holed the bunker shot and then followed up with further birdies at the 15th & 17th for a brilliant round of 65 ( -7 ).Damien Mooney was runner up with a 3 under par 69 to move into 2nd place on the order of merit ahead of Irish Champion David Mortimer who had a poor round of 78.
The win was worth €4,000, plus as No1 on the order of merit Higgins picked up a €10,000 bonus. He is guaranteed a place in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and a place in next years Irish Open. Along with Damien Mooney and David Mortimer, Higgins will play in next months Srixron British & Irish PGA play - offs at Little Aston. The winner can expect at least a further 4 more invites to main European Tour tournaments.
The top 8 from the Irish PGA order of merit will play in next years Irish Open. They are David Higgins, Damien Mooney, David Mortimer, John Kelly, Darren McWilliams, Barrie Trainor, Michael Collins and Eamon Brady.
Michael McCumisky, secretary of the Irish PGA said " The race to Mount Juliet has been running since April and has been a great success. All credit goes to the sponsors, Lexus, Mount Juliet, Ping and Failte Ireland." He introduced the Irish PGA Captain, Eamonn Logue. Eamonn said " On behalf of all the Professionals I would like to thank Kevin O'Reilly from Lexus, Colin Donovan, General manager of the Mount Juliet estate, Brian O'Regan from Ping and Failte Ireland. The race to Mount Juliet generated a great interest for the Professionals all year and can only get bigger and better."
Final Race To Mount Juliet Results.
1 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 65 ( -7 ) €4,000.00 + ( €10,000. ) Bonus money.
2 Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 69 ( -3 ) €2,800.00 + ( €2,500. ) Bonus money.
3 Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com ) 71 €1,666.66
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 71 €1,666.66
Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) 71 €1,666.66
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny ) 71 €1,666.66
Robert Giles ( Greenore ) 71 €1,666.66
Glen Robinson ( St Helen's Bay ) 71 €1,666.66
9 Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 72 €1,012.50
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 72 €1,012.50
Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 72 €1,012.50
Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 72 €1,012.50
13 David Hughes ( Massereene ) 73 €608.00
John P. Dolan ( Dunfanaghy ) 73 €608.00
David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 73 €608.00
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 73 €608.00
Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf ) 73 €608.00
18 Peter Jones ( Coollattin ) 74 €510.00
Donald Gleeson ( Old Conna ) 74 €510.00
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 74 €510.00
Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne ) 74 €510.00
Michael McDermott ( Pure Golf Leopardstown ) 74 €510.00
23 Cian McNamara ( Limerick Golf Club ) 75 €475.00
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf ) 75 €475.00
25 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 76 €450.00
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 76 €450.00
John Kelly ( St.Margaret's Golf ) 76 €450.00
28 David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 78 €430.00 + ( €5,000 ) Bonus Money.
29 Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) RTD €415.00
Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy ) RTD €415.00
Tuesday 12 October 2010
(Golf news) Disappointment for Des Smyth in France.
There was disappointment for Des Smyth at the Cannes Mougins Masters in France when he went from an opening 7 under par 65 and leading by 2 shots to finish down in 16th place after closing rounds of 74 and 78. Smyth, who won the Travis Perkins Senior Masters at Woburn last month, lost his game over the closing two rounds.
Local man Mark Farry was an easy winner on 9 under par after a 2nd round of 65, beat Gordon Brand Jun to the winning prize of €38,287 by 2 shots.
Dennis O'Sullian +4, Eddie Polland +9 and Jimmy Heggarty +13 were the other Irish contenders.
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39 year old Irishman Padraig Harrington has ended a two-year title drought by winning the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia.
Harrington, who went into the final round with a comfortable five-stroke lead, after opening rounds of 64, 67 and 68. He hit a closing three-under-par 69 to cruise to a three-shot win from Korean Noh Seung-yul on 20 under par.
The three-time Major winner was never threatened during the final round at the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club to secure his first victory since winning the US PGA Championship in 2008 and collect $198,125.
"Two years is a long time, especially when you're reminded most weeks you play. It's nice and very important for me to win. It's somewhat a monkey off your back," Harrington said.
Showing no ill effects of a neck injury which almost forced him out of the third round, the Irishman tightened his grip with three straight birdies from the second hole on a day when conditions were ideal for low scoring.
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Andreas Harto captured his second Challenge Tour title in thrilling fashion in only his fourth appearance at the Roma Golf Open 2010.
In so doing the 22 year old from Copenhagen, who only turned professional last month after winning the ECCO Tour Championship as an amateur, became the fastest player in history to capture two Challenge Tour titles.
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47 year old, Rocco Mediate won the Fry's.com Open on the PGA Tour with scores of 64,65,67 and 73 for a 15 under par total of 269. It was Mediate's first win for 8 years and he led from start to finish.
Mediate managed an eagle in each of the 4 rounds and never had to use his putter. Round 1, he had a hole in one at the 3rd hole. In round 2 he holed his 2nd shot from 160 yards at the 4th hole. A 110 yard shot went into the hole at the 15th hole for an eagle 3 at the par 5 in round 3 and in the last round when Bo Van Pelt and Alex Prugh were in the clubhouse on -14, Rocco holed from 116 yards at the 17th to win by one shot on 15 under par.
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Banbridge Professional, Richard Kilpatrick has been playing on the Alps tour based in Switzerland this year. He is lying in 17th place on their order of merit with €12,799. His best finish so far has been a 5th place in the Atlas Pro - Tour Magador tournament where he finished 7 under par.
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There was a popular winner of the PGA Grand slam of golf at Port Royal golf club in Bermuda. Ernie Els came from 3 shots behind David Toms with 5 holes to play to win by a single shot. Els who scored 70/69 in windy conditions collected the $600,000 first prize on 5 under par. Toms 69/71 was second on 4 under par. Graeme McDowell 72/73 and Martin Kaymer 74/71 tied for 3rd place on 1 over par.
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Defending champion, Scotlands Martin Laird, Austrailian, Cameron Percy and Jonathan Byrd tied on 21 under par in the Justin Timberlake tournament around the TPC Summerlin course in Las Vegas. After 3 play off holes the trio couldn't be seperated and as it was getting dark, they decided to play one more hole. Laird & Percy both hit water at the 204 yard 17th hole. All Byrd needed to do was hit the green. He went one better and hit a 6 iron that finished in the hole for a winning ace, that gave him his first win since the John Deere Classic in 2007.
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Rory McIlroy played his first ever event on the Challenge Tour, when he accepted an invite to play in the JW Marriot, Egyptian Open around the Mirage City golf club. Rory took time to get used to the course, opening with a 71 and a 74 to make the cut on one over par. He found his swing over the weekend and recovered with 69/68 to share 12th place on 6 under par. Fellow Irishman Colm Moriarty finished one shot behind Rory on 5 under par. The tournament was won by Mark Tullo from Chile who shot a final round 66 to win on 13 under par. Rory became the 1st person to ever hit golf balls around the famous Pyramids.
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Waterville Professional, Mark Murphy closed with a 4 under par 68 to skip through the 1st stage of qualifing for the USPGA Tour at Lantana Golf Club in Texas. Murphy shared 8th place on 7 under par after 4 steady rounds of 71, 72, 70, 68. He will be joined at stage 2 by Chris Devlin from Ballymena.
Seamus Power from West Waterford was unlucky when he failed to make stage 2. Power took 73 in the final round to miss out by only 1 shot on 3 under par. Niall Kearney from Muskerry returned a 66 in his final round, but unfortunately still missed the cut by 4 shots on level par.
Ballyliffen's Thomas Kearney finished 10 shots away from the cut on +6, while Fergal Rafferty from Dungannon was another 2 shots behind Kearney on +8.
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Ireland made a fighting comeback to finish in 6th position at the World Amateur Team Championships in Argentina. The tournament was reduced to 54 holes because of the inclement weather, which made the Buenos Aires golf course very difficult.
Ireland were at the back of the field after day one. Paul Cutler ( Portstewart ) had a 74 while Alan Dunbar ( Reathmore ) and Kevin Phelan ( University of North Florida ) both hit 76s. Ireland moved up to 22nd after round two when Cutler & Dunbar both returned 73s. The Irish boys reserved their best golf to last. Cutler hit a very impressive 71 and along with Phelan ( 72 ) they returned the joint best score of the day with the US team. Their 143 total helped them to move into 6th place, 16 shots behind the winners, France.
Paul Cutler 74, 73, 71 was 11th in the individual table on +3, 9 shots behind the winner Joachim Hansen ( Denmark ) on 6 under par. Kevin Phelan 76, 75, 72 was 24th on 8 over par and Alan Dunbar 76, 73, 79 was 57th on 13 over par.
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Rebecca Coakley ( Carlow ) was only one shot away from recording her first win on the Ladies European Tour. Playing in the China Ladies Open, Coakley returned scores of 69,70 and 73 that left her 1 shot short of a 5 way play-off.
South African, Lee-Anne Pace made it back to back wins when she came from 6 shots behind to beat Hannah Jun, Julieta Granada and Christel Boeljon in a 2 hole play-off.
Rebecca Coakley shared 5th place with Becky Brewerton & Dewi-Claire Schreefel. She collected a cheque for €7,160 and has now moved up to 34th on the order of merit.
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Tiger Woods dropped down in Bangkok to play a one day skins game on his way to Melbourne for the defence of the JBWere Masters. He came a poor last when he only managed to win one skin that was worth $6,600. Camillo Villegas won 5 skins but they were worth $109,800 while Paul Casey won 9 and his total was $92,400. Thongahai Jaidee won 3 skins and collected $90,000.
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53 year old Bernhard langer won the US champions tour seniors order of merit for the 3rd year in a row after a brilliant season that saw him win 2 major titles. He won the British seniors and the US seniors. His reward for winning the order of merit was a $1 Million annuity.
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Irish PGA Champion, David Mortimer was the top Irish Professional in the GB&I Srixon play-offs at Little Aston golf club. Mortimer had rounds of 70, 72 ( -2 ) but only finished in 7th. The winner was Aberdeen Professional 37 year old Greig Hutcheon who holed a 15 foot putt in a play-off to beat Richard O'Hanlon, ( Cornwall ) and James Harris ( Kent ) after they all finished on 7 under par.
Irish Race to Mount Juliet order of merit winner David Higgins was 9th on i under par after rounds of 71, 72 and Belfast man Damien Mooney was 19th after rounds of 74, 74.
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39 year old Stuart Appleby came from 7 shots behind to win the JB Were Masters in Melbourne, Austrailia. Left hander, Adam Bland took 73 in the final round as Appleby hit a 6 under par round of 65 to pass him and win by one shot on 10 under par.
Daniel Guant who started the year on the Europro Tour took 3rd place on 8 under par, beating the defending champion Tiger Woods by a shot. Woods was struggling with his game until the last 4 holes of the final round. He finished eagle, birdie, par, eagle to claim 4th place.
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Italy’s Matteo Manassero has been named The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year for 2010 following a record-breaking start to his professional career highlighted by him becoming the youngest player to win in the history of The European Tour.
Manassero launched his professional career in the BMW Italian Open at the beginning of May and in 14 starts since then has won the Castello Masters at the age of 17 years and 188 days; earned €890,401 to finish in 31st place in The 2010 Race to Dubai; and played 54 rounds for which he was 73 under par with only seven scores over 72.
Local man Mark Farry was an easy winner on 9 under par after a 2nd round of 65, beat Gordon Brand Jun to the winning prize of €38,287 by 2 shots.
Dennis O'Sullian +4, Eddie Polland +9 and Jimmy Heggarty +13 were the other Irish contenders.
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39 year old Irishman Padraig Harrington has ended a two-year title drought by winning the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia.
Harrington, who went into the final round with a comfortable five-stroke lead, after opening rounds of 64, 67 and 68. He hit a closing three-under-par 69 to cruise to a three-shot win from Korean Noh Seung-yul on 20 under par.
The three-time Major winner was never threatened during the final round at the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club to secure his first victory since winning the US PGA Championship in 2008 and collect $198,125.
"Two years is a long time, especially when you're reminded most weeks you play. It's nice and very important for me to win. It's somewhat a monkey off your back," Harrington said.
Showing no ill effects of a neck injury which almost forced him out of the third round, the Irishman tightened his grip with three straight birdies from the second hole on a day when conditions were ideal for low scoring.
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Andreas Harto captured his second Challenge Tour title in thrilling fashion in only his fourth appearance at the Roma Golf Open 2010.
In so doing the 22 year old from Copenhagen, who only turned professional last month after winning the ECCO Tour Championship as an amateur, became the fastest player in history to capture two Challenge Tour titles.
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47 year old, Rocco Mediate won the Fry's.com Open on the PGA Tour with scores of 64,65,67 and 73 for a 15 under par total of 269. It was Mediate's first win for 8 years and he led from start to finish.
Mediate managed an eagle in each of the 4 rounds and never had to use his putter. Round 1, he had a hole in one at the 3rd hole. In round 2 he holed his 2nd shot from 160 yards at the 4th hole. A 110 yard shot went into the hole at the 15th hole for an eagle 3 at the par 5 in round 3 and in the last round when Bo Van Pelt and Alex Prugh were in the clubhouse on -14, Rocco holed from 116 yards at the 17th to win by one shot on 15 under par.
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Banbridge Professional, Richard Kilpatrick has been playing on the Alps tour based in Switzerland this year. He is lying in 17th place on their order of merit with €12,799. His best finish so far has been a 5th place in the Atlas Pro - Tour Magador tournament where he finished 7 under par.
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There was a popular winner of the PGA Grand slam of golf at Port Royal golf club in Bermuda. Ernie Els came from 3 shots behind David Toms with 5 holes to play to win by a single shot. Els who scored 70/69 in windy conditions collected the $600,000 first prize on 5 under par. Toms 69/71 was second on 4 under par. Graeme McDowell 72/73 and Martin Kaymer 74/71 tied for 3rd place on 1 over par.
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Defending champion, Scotlands Martin Laird, Austrailian, Cameron Percy and Jonathan Byrd tied on 21 under par in the Justin Timberlake tournament around the TPC Summerlin course in Las Vegas. After 3 play off holes the trio couldn't be seperated and as it was getting dark, they decided to play one more hole. Laird & Percy both hit water at the 204 yard 17th hole. All Byrd needed to do was hit the green. He went one better and hit a 6 iron that finished in the hole for a winning ace, that gave him his first win since the John Deere Classic in 2007.
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Rory McIlroy played his first ever event on the Challenge Tour, when he accepted an invite to play in the JW Marriot, Egyptian Open around the Mirage City golf club. Rory took time to get used to the course, opening with a 71 and a 74 to make the cut on one over par. He found his swing over the weekend and recovered with 69/68 to share 12th place on 6 under par. Fellow Irishman Colm Moriarty finished one shot behind Rory on 5 under par. The tournament was won by Mark Tullo from Chile who shot a final round 66 to win on 13 under par. Rory became the 1st person to ever hit golf balls around the famous Pyramids.
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Waterville Professional, Mark Murphy closed with a 4 under par 68 to skip through the 1st stage of qualifing for the USPGA Tour at Lantana Golf Club in Texas. Murphy shared 8th place on 7 under par after 4 steady rounds of 71, 72, 70, 68. He will be joined at stage 2 by Chris Devlin from Ballymena.
Seamus Power from West Waterford was unlucky when he failed to make stage 2. Power took 73 in the final round to miss out by only 1 shot on 3 under par. Niall Kearney from Muskerry returned a 66 in his final round, but unfortunately still missed the cut by 4 shots on level par.
Ballyliffen's Thomas Kearney finished 10 shots away from the cut on +6, while Fergal Rafferty from Dungannon was another 2 shots behind Kearney on +8.
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Ireland made a fighting comeback to finish in 6th position at the World Amateur Team Championships in Argentina. The tournament was reduced to 54 holes because of the inclement weather, which made the Buenos Aires golf course very difficult.
Ireland were at the back of the field after day one. Paul Cutler ( Portstewart ) had a 74 while Alan Dunbar ( Reathmore ) and Kevin Phelan ( University of North Florida ) both hit 76s. Ireland moved up to 22nd after round two when Cutler & Dunbar both returned 73s. The Irish boys reserved their best golf to last. Cutler hit a very impressive 71 and along with Phelan ( 72 ) they returned the joint best score of the day with the US team. Their 143 total helped them to move into 6th place, 16 shots behind the winners, France.
Paul Cutler 74, 73, 71 was 11th in the individual table on +3, 9 shots behind the winner Joachim Hansen ( Denmark ) on 6 under par. Kevin Phelan 76, 75, 72 was 24th on 8 over par and Alan Dunbar 76, 73, 79 was 57th on 13 over par.
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Rebecca Coakley ( Carlow ) was only one shot away from recording her first win on the Ladies European Tour. Playing in the China Ladies Open, Coakley returned scores of 69,70 and 73 that left her 1 shot short of a 5 way play-off.
South African, Lee-Anne Pace made it back to back wins when she came from 6 shots behind to beat Hannah Jun, Julieta Granada and Christel Boeljon in a 2 hole play-off.
Rebecca Coakley shared 5th place with Becky Brewerton & Dewi-Claire Schreefel. She collected a cheque for €7,160 and has now moved up to 34th on the order of merit.
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Tiger Woods dropped down in Bangkok to play a one day skins game on his way to Melbourne for the defence of the JBWere Masters. He came a poor last when he only managed to win one skin that was worth $6,600. Camillo Villegas won 5 skins but they were worth $109,800 while Paul Casey won 9 and his total was $92,400. Thongahai Jaidee won 3 skins and collected $90,000.
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53 year old Bernhard langer won the US champions tour seniors order of merit for the 3rd year in a row after a brilliant season that saw him win 2 major titles. He won the British seniors and the US seniors. His reward for winning the order of merit was a $1 Million annuity.
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Irish PGA Champion, David Mortimer was the top Irish Professional in the GB&I Srixon play-offs at Little Aston golf club. Mortimer had rounds of 70, 72 ( -2 ) but only finished in 7th. The winner was Aberdeen Professional 37 year old Greig Hutcheon who holed a 15 foot putt in a play-off to beat Richard O'Hanlon, ( Cornwall ) and James Harris ( Kent ) after they all finished on 7 under par.
Irish Race to Mount Juliet order of merit winner David Higgins was 9th on i under par after rounds of 71, 72 and Belfast man Damien Mooney was 19th after rounds of 74, 74.
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39 year old Stuart Appleby came from 7 shots behind to win the JB Were Masters in Melbourne, Austrailia. Left hander, Adam Bland took 73 in the final round as Appleby hit a 6 under par round of 65 to pass him and win by one shot on 10 under par.
Daniel Guant who started the year on the Europro Tour took 3rd place on 8 under par, beating the defending champion Tiger Woods by a shot. Woods was struggling with his game until the last 4 holes of the final round. He finished eagle, birdie, par, eagle to claim 4th place.
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Italy’s Matteo Manassero has been named The Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year for 2010 following a record-breaking start to his professional career highlighted by him becoming the youngest player to win in the history of The European Tour.
Manassero launched his professional career in the BMW Italian Open at the beginning of May and in 14 starts since then has won the Castello Masters at the age of 17 years and 188 days; earned €890,401 to finish in 31st place in The 2010 Race to Dubai; and played 54 rounds for which he was 73 under par with only seven scores over 72.
(2nd) Pro - Am win No5 for Damien Mooney.
Belfast man Damien Mooney added the Irish PGA Westmanstown Pro - Am to the other four he won this year and has moved up to 3rd on the Race to Dubai league table.
Mooney had a slow start to the season. He didn't win his first one until the Nairn & Portnoo Pro - Am at the end of June. Further wins quickly followed at Balbriggan, Curragh, Fota Island and now Westmanstown.
To win, Mooney needed a 2 under par round of 69 to beat Darren McWilliams by a single shot. Order of merit leader David Higgins was in the frame again, sharing 3rd place on level par with Peter Martin, John Dwyer, Ian Kerr and Brendan McDermott.
It was a good tournament for David Hughes from Massereene golf club in Antrim. Not only did Hughes bring home the winning team with 86 points, he also shot a 72 for a share of 8th place that earned him enough points to jump from 32nd place on the Race to Mount Juliet table into the final ( 30th ) spot to book his place in the grand final.
Westmanstown Pro - Am results.
1 Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 69 -2.
2 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 70.
3 Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) 71.
David Higgins ( Waterville ) 71.
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 71.
Ian Kerr ( Bunclody ) 71.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 71.
8 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 72.
John Kelly ( St.Margaret's ) 72.
David Hughes ( Massereene ) 72.
Glen Robinson ( St Helen's Bay ) 72.
12 Donal Gleeson ( Old Conna ) 73.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 73.
Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 73.
Gerry Burke ( Curragh ) 73.
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny ) 73.
Mooney had a slow start to the season. He didn't win his first one until the Nairn & Portnoo Pro - Am at the end of June. Further wins quickly followed at Balbriggan, Curragh, Fota Island and now Westmanstown.
To win, Mooney needed a 2 under par round of 69 to beat Darren McWilliams by a single shot. Order of merit leader David Higgins was in the frame again, sharing 3rd place on level par with Peter Martin, John Dwyer, Ian Kerr and Brendan McDermott.
It was a good tournament for David Hughes from Massereene golf club in Antrim. Not only did Hughes bring home the winning team with 86 points, he also shot a 72 for a share of 8th place that earned him enough points to jump from 32nd place on the Race to Mount Juliet table into the final ( 30th ) spot to book his place in the grand final.
Westmanstown Pro - Am results.
1 Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 69 -2.
2 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 70.
3 Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) 71.
David Higgins ( Waterville ) 71.
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 71.
Ian Kerr ( Bunclody ) 71.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 71.
8 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 72.
John Kelly ( St.Margaret's ) 72.
David Hughes ( Massereene ) 72.
Glen Robinson ( St Helen's Bay ) 72.
12 Donal Gleeson ( Old Conna ) 73.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 73.
Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 73.
Gerry Burke ( Curragh ) 73.
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny ) 73.
(1st)Kaymer wins Alfred Dunhill Championship.
25 year old German, Martin Kaymer is in the habit of winning these day's. After claiming his first Major at the USPGA, he followed up with a run away win at the KLM Dutch Open and now he claimed a hat trick with a three shot win at the Alfred Dunhill Championship. Kaymer became the first player to win three times in a row on The European Tour since Tiger Woods in 2006.
Kaymer started with a 68 on the Kingsbarn course, followed up with a 69 on a difficult day at St.Andrews and added a 68 at Carnoustie. In bitterly cold and windy conditions at St Andrews the 25 year old German added a closing 66 that included a 40 foot putt for birdie from off the back of the 17th green, and after landing on the tarmac road on the 18th, he hit a wedge to 15 feet and holed the putt for another birdie.
Danny Willett was runner up with a final round of 67 for a 14 under par return, beating the long time leader and his 2007 Walker Cup team mate John Perry by a single shot.
All 12 Irish took part with only 4 making the level par cut after 3 rounds. Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell both finished on 6 under par, claiming a share of 17th place. Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy finished in 53rd place on 2 over par.
Gareth Maybin hit a 69 around St.Andrews but missed the cut by a single shot as did Darren Clarke who slipped up with a 74 at Carnoustie. Damien McGrane was 3 under par playing Carnoustie but took 78 to miss out by 3 shots along with Peter Lawrie and Paul McGinley.
Gary Murphy and Michael Hoey were 6 over par and Simon Thornton had a bad tournament finishing 7 over par.
Kaymer started with a 68 on the Kingsbarn course, followed up with a 69 on a difficult day at St.Andrews and added a 68 at Carnoustie. In bitterly cold and windy conditions at St Andrews the 25 year old German added a closing 66 that included a 40 foot putt for birdie from off the back of the 17th green, and after landing on the tarmac road on the 18th, he hit a wedge to 15 feet and holed the putt for another birdie.
Danny Willett was runner up with a final round of 67 for a 14 under par return, beating the long time leader and his 2007 Walker Cup team mate John Perry by a single shot.
All 12 Irish took part with only 4 making the level par cut after 3 rounds. Padraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell both finished on 6 under par, claiming a share of 17th place. Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy finished in 53rd place on 2 over par.
Gareth Maybin hit a 69 around St.Andrews but missed the cut by a single shot as did Darren Clarke who slipped up with a 74 at Carnoustie. Damien McGrane was 3 under par playing Carnoustie but took 78 to miss out by 3 shots along with Peter Lawrie and Paul McGinley.
Gary Murphy and Michael Hoey were 6 over par and Simon Thornton had a bad tournament finishing 7 over par.
Wednesday 6 October 2010
Final push for a place in the "Race to Mount Juliet."
With only a couple of tournaments to go before the final Lexus "Race to Mount Juliet" in association with Ping, play-offs between PGA Professionals, there is a scramble to make it into the top 30.
David Higgins who has led from early in the season was overtaken at the top by new Irish PGA Champion, David Mortimer, but that only lasted a week. Higgins hit straight back with a 5 under par total of 138 to share 1st place with Damien Mooney in the Fota Island Pro-Am and jump straight back into pole position.
The top 30 on the order of merit will qualify for the Mount Juliet event which will carry a €30,000 purse.To add more interest there is another €17,500 which will go to the top 3 on the final table.The winner will get €10,000,runner up €5,000 and 3rd will take home a bonus of €2,500.
The winner will gain an invite to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2011.
The top 3 qualify for the Srixon Play offs which offer the winner a couple of invites to the main tour.
The top 8 qualify for the 2011 Irish Open.
Holding 30th and final position at the moment is Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayneocallaghangolf.com ). He is only 16 points ahead of John Dolan ( Dunfanaghy ) and 59 points ahead of David Hughes ( Massereene ). It will be all to play for in the remaining tournaments.
THE LEXUS RACE TO MOUNT JULIET AFTER THE FOTA ISLAND PRO-AM.
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1 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 35,979 Points.
2 David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 35,208
3 Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 29,924
4 John Kelly ( St.Margaret's ) 29,321
5 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 26,697
6 Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf ) 25,858
7 Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf ) 20,873
8 Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 20,375
9 Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 20,131
10 Glen Robinson ( St Helen's Bay ) 18,673
11 Robert Giles ( Greenore ) 15,340
12 Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 14,676
13 David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 14,669
14 Michael McDermott ( Pure Golf Leopardstown ) 13,250
15 Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny ) 13,150
16 Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne ) 12,969
17 Peter Martin ( Riverside ) 12,408
18 Garry Cullen ( Beaverstown ) 12,274
19 Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy ) 11,727
20 Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 11,635
21 Simon Thornton ( Team Ireland Golf ) 11,580
22 Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com ) 11,517
23 Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) 10,658
24 John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 10,442
25 Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 9,963
26 Donal Gleeson ( Old Conna ) 9,477
27 John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 8,810
28 Peter Jones ( Coollattin ) 8,790
29 Cian McNamara ( Limerick ) 8,412
30 Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayne O'Callaghan Golf.com ) 8,249
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31 John P. Dolan ( Dunfanaghy ) 8,233
32 David Hughes ( Massereene ) 8,190
33 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 7,854
34 Leslie Walker ( Dundalk ) 7,339
35 Patrick Geraghty ( Unattached ) 6,986
David Higgins who has led from early in the season was overtaken at the top by new Irish PGA Champion, David Mortimer, but that only lasted a week. Higgins hit straight back with a 5 under par total of 138 to share 1st place with Damien Mooney in the Fota Island Pro-Am and jump straight back into pole position.
The top 30 on the order of merit will qualify for the Mount Juliet event which will carry a €30,000 purse.To add more interest there is another €17,500 which will go to the top 3 on the final table.The winner will get €10,000,runner up €5,000 and 3rd will take home a bonus of €2,500.
The winner will gain an invite to the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2011.
The top 3 qualify for the Srixon Play offs which offer the winner a couple of invites to the main tour.
The top 8 qualify for the 2011 Irish Open.
Holding 30th and final position at the moment is Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayneocallaghangolf.com ). He is only 16 points ahead of John Dolan ( Dunfanaghy ) and 59 points ahead of David Hughes ( Massereene ). It will be all to play for in the remaining tournaments.
THE LEXUS RACE TO MOUNT JULIET AFTER THE FOTA ISLAND PRO-AM.
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1 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 35,979 Points.
2 David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 35,208
3 Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 29,924
4 John Kelly ( St.Margaret's ) 29,321
5 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 26,697
6 Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf ) 25,858
7 Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf ) 20,873
8 Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 20,375
9 Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 20,131
10 Glen Robinson ( St Helen's Bay ) 18,673
11 Robert Giles ( Greenore ) 15,340
12 Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 14,676
13 David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 14,669
14 Michael McDermott ( Pure Golf Leopardstown ) 13,250
15 Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny ) 13,150
16 Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne ) 12,969
17 Peter Martin ( Riverside ) 12,408
18 Garry Cullen ( Beaverstown ) 12,274
19 Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy ) 11,727
20 Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 11,635
21 Simon Thornton ( Team Ireland Golf ) 11,580
22 Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com ) 11,517
23 Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) 10,658
24 John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 10,442
25 Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 9,963
26 Donal Gleeson ( Old Conna ) 9,477
27 John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 8,810
28 Peter Jones ( Coollattin ) 8,790
29 Cian McNamara ( Limerick ) 8,412
30 Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayne O'Callaghan Golf.com ) 8,249
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31 John P. Dolan ( Dunfanaghy ) 8,233
32 David Hughes ( Massereene ) 8,190
33 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 7,854
34 Leslie Walker ( Dundalk ) 7,339
35 Patrick Geraghty ( Unattached ) 6,986
Monday 4 October 2010
RYDER CUP COMES BACK TO EUROPE.
The heavy rain held play back until the Monday at Celtic Manor in Wales. The 150 strong green staff did a terrific job keeping the course fit for play, but all that was forgotten as Colin Montgomery held the Ryder Cup aloft in front of 30,000 cheering fans at the closing ceremony.
Behind Monty were the magnificent dozen golfers who played fantastic golf to defeat the Americans by a slender margin of 14.5 points - 13.5 points. When each golfer was introduced to the fans, it was Rathmore's Graeme McDowell who got the loudest cheer.
It was Graeme whom Monty selected for the anchor role, and what a brilliant choice it turned out to be. With the game balanced at 13.5 points each it was McDowell who made what Monty described as the best birdie he ever saw under severe pressure at the 16th hole to go dormie two up on Hunter Mahan. A great 4 iron shot at the par 3, 17th and two putts later the crowd went wild.
Following in the famous footsteps of Eamonn Darcy, Christy O'Connor, Philip Walton and Paul McGinley, the 31 year old from Portrush won back the trophy for Europe when everything depended on him.
Graeme had partnered fellow countryman, 21 year old Rory McIlroy in the foursomes and fourball matches. They combined well for a win, a draw and one defeat on the final green to Stewart Cink & Matt Kucher.
McIlroy played some fantastic golf during the week. In the final singles game he got a crucial 1/2 point against Stewart Cink. Rory got a fast start with birdies at the first two holes, only for Cink to birdie the next three to take the lead. After that there was never more than one hole separating the pair.
Padraig Harrington played his part as well. He collected 2 vital wins along with Ross Fisher. They beat Phil Mickleson & Dustin Johnston 3/2 in the foursomes and Jim Furyk & Dustin Johnston 2/1 in the fourballs. Harrington was beaten 3/2 by Zach Johnston in the singles. Johnston made 7 birdies over the 16 holes.
Tiger Woods was in top form in his singles match with Francesco Molinari. Woods was 9 under par when he won on the 15th green.
Quotes from the Ryder Cup.
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Padraig Harrington described the winning feeling as "incredible" and "phenomenal".
"Every Ryder Cup's the same. It's phenomenal. There's nothing like it in golf."
Lee Westwood, "I've never been slapped on the back so often. We are really delighted.
It's been a great team performance against a strong American side."
Ross Fisher added: "This is very sweet. It's a shame there's got to be a losing team and losing side."
Montgomerie: "Graeme McDowell was put there for a very good reason. He's full of confidence and that showed. That birdie on 16 was quite unbelievable."
Montgomery: "I'm very proud. It's a very proud moment for us all here in Europe. They all played to a man magnificently, they all gave 110 per cent and that's all you can ask."
Montgomery: "They (the US) came back extremely well. All credit to them. Tiger showed he was number one in the world. Phil Mickelson did brilliantly."
Asked about his own achievement, Montgomerie said: "I didn't hit a shot so it wasn't much of an achievement, but it's a proud, proud moment."
Behind Monty were the magnificent dozen golfers who played fantastic golf to defeat the Americans by a slender margin of 14.5 points - 13.5 points. When each golfer was introduced to the fans, it was Rathmore's Graeme McDowell who got the loudest cheer.
It was Graeme whom Monty selected for the anchor role, and what a brilliant choice it turned out to be. With the game balanced at 13.5 points each it was McDowell who made what Monty described as the best birdie he ever saw under severe pressure at the 16th hole to go dormie two up on Hunter Mahan. A great 4 iron shot at the par 3, 17th and two putts later the crowd went wild.
Following in the famous footsteps of Eamonn Darcy, Christy O'Connor, Philip Walton and Paul McGinley, the 31 year old from Portrush won back the trophy for Europe when everything depended on him.
Graeme had partnered fellow countryman, 21 year old Rory McIlroy in the foursomes and fourball matches. They combined well for a win, a draw and one defeat on the final green to Stewart Cink & Matt Kucher.
McIlroy played some fantastic golf during the week. In the final singles game he got a crucial 1/2 point against Stewart Cink. Rory got a fast start with birdies at the first two holes, only for Cink to birdie the next three to take the lead. After that there was never more than one hole separating the pair.
Padraig Harrington played his part as well. He collected 2 vital wins along with Ross Fisher. They beat Phil Mickleson & Dustin Johnston 3/2 in the foursomes and Jim Furyk & Dustin Johnston 2/1 in the fourballs. Harrington was beaten 3/2 by Zach Johnston in the singles. Johnston made 7 birdies over the 16 holes.
Tiger Woods was in top form in his singles match with Francesco Molinari. Woods was 9 under par when he won on the 15th green.
Quotes from the Ryder Cup.
-----------------------------
Padraig Harrington described the winning feeling as "incredible" and "phenomenal".
"Every Ryder Cup's the same. It's phenomenal. There's nothing like it in golf."
Lee Westwood, "I've never been slapped on the back so often. We are really delighted.
It's been a great team performance against a strong American side."
Ross Fisher added: "This is very sweet. It's a shame there's got to be a losing team and losing side."
Montgomerie: "Graeme McDowell was put there for a very good reason. He's full of confidence and that showed. That birdie on 16 was quite unbelievable."
Montgomery: "I'm very proud. It's a very proud moment for us all here in Europe. They all played to a man magnificently, they all gave 110 per cent and that's all you can ask."
Montgomery: "They (the US) came back extremely well. All credit to them. Tiger showed he was number one in the world. Phil Mickelson did brilliantly."
Asked about his own achievement, Montgomerie said: "I didn't hit a shot so it wasn't much of an achievement, but it's a proud, proud moment."
WORLD RANKINGS.
Lee Westwood is now World No1, knocking Tiger Woods of the position he has held for 281 consecutive weeks and a total of 623 weeks. ( one week short of 12 years. )
Westwood deserves the title as he has been the most consistant golfer in the world over the last two years. He was European No1 last year, winning the first "Race to Dubai" title beating Rory McIlroy.
Phil Mickleson who has been No2 behind Woods for most of that time has now moved down to 4rd, having made way for Germany's Martin Kaymer.
Ireland have 3 players in the top 20. Rory McIlroy is in 9th place, US Open Champion Graeme McDowell has moved into 10th and Padraig Harrington who had slipped down to 23rd is back up to 19th.
While Darren Clarke is starting to climb back up the list into 100th place, Paul McGinley is going the other way. He is now down in 407th place.
1 Lee Westwood.
2 Tiger Woods.
3 Martin Kaymer.
4 Phil Mickelson.
5 Steve Stricker.
6 Jim Furyk.
7 Paul Casey.
8 Luke Donald.
9 RORY MCILROY.
10 GRAEME MCDOWELL.
11 Matt Kuchar.
12 Ernie Els.
13 Dustin Johnson.
14 Ian Poulter.
15 Hunter Mahan.
16 Edoardo Molinari.
17 Retief Goosen.
18 Zach Johnson.
19 PADRAIG HARRINGTON
20 Louis Oosthuizen.
Other Irish.
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100 Darren Clarke.
111 Peter Lawrie.
122 Gareth Maybin.
130 Damien McGrane.
135 Shane Lowry.
320 Michael Hoey.
407 Paul McGinley.
477 Simon Thornton.
Westwood deserves the title as he has been the most consistant golfer in the world over the last two years. He was European No1 last year, winning the first "Race to Dubai" title beating Rory McIlroy.
Phil Mickleson who has been No2 behind Woods for most of that time has now moved down to 4rd, having made way for Germany's Martin Kaymer.
Ireland have 3 players in the top 20. Rory McIlroy is in 9th place, US Open Champion Graeme McDowell has moved into 10th and Padraig Harrington who had slipped down to 23rd is back up to 19th.
While Darren Clarke is starting to climb back up the list into 100th place, Paul McGinley is going the other way. He is now down in 407th place.
1 Lee Westwood.
2 Tiger Woods.
3 Martin Kaymer.
4 Phil Mickelson.
5 Steve Stricker.
6 Jim Furyk.
7 Paul Casey.
8 Luke Donald.
9 RORY MCILROY.
10 GRAEME MCDOWELL.
11 Matt Kuchar.
12 Ernie Els.
13 Dustin Johnson.
14 Ian Poulter.
15 Hunter Mahan.
16 Edoardo Molinari.
17 Retief Goosen.
18 Zach Johnson.
19 PADRAIG HARRINGTON
20 Louis Oosthuizen.
Other Irish.
---------------
100 Darren Clarke.
111 Peter Lawrie.
122 Gareth Maybin.
130 Damien McGrane.
135 Shane Lowry.
320 Michael Hoey.
407 Paul McGinley.
477 Simon Thornton.
Sunday 3 October 2010
EUROPEAN TOUR RACE TO DUBAI RANKING'S.
It is getting to an exciting time with only 3 tournaments left to the final " Race to Dubai " tournament at the Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. The year long build up started back in December last year with the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in South Africa. 48 tournaments and 27 countries later, the top 60 will play at Jumeirah to see who will be crowned " Dubai World Champion."
The first winner last year, Lee Westwood is in 3rd position behind the USPGA Champion Martin Kaymer. US Open Champion Graeme McDowell is in between them in 2nd place.
Last year's runner up, Rory McIlroy, who played most of his golf in the US this year is in 14th position . Padraig Harrington 18th, Darren Clarke 27th, Damien McGrane 32nd, Peter Lawrie 34th and Gareth Maybin 35th are well inside the top 60, and should be in attendance come the 25 November. Shane Lowry will be looking for a few good week's as he is in 61st place, €15,000 behind James Morrison who holds the 60th and final place at the moment.
Michael Hoey had a steady season so far and is in 92nd place on the table. With the top 125 to retain their cards he is safe for next year.
At the other end of the table there will be a struggle for Paul McGinley ( 121st ) and Simon Thornton ( 136th ) to reach the top 115. Gary Murphy has had a terrible year and will be back at tour school for the second year in a row.
Race to Dubai Order of merit.
---------------------------------------------------
1 Martin Kaymer GER €3,167,447
2 Graeme McDowell NIR €2,638,866
3 Lee Westwood ENG €1,878,307
4 Charl Schwartzel RSA €1,817,803
5 Ernie Els RSA €1,807,313
6 Miguel Angle Jimenez ESP €1,775,001
7 Edoarda Molinari ITA €1,754,398
8 Louis Oosthuizen RSA €1,747,726
9 Ian Poulter ENG €1,478,118
10 Paul Casey ENG €1,438,864
11 Francesco Molinari ITA €1,341,460
12 Alvaro Quiros ESP €1,259,814
13 Ross Fisher ENG €1,253,687
14 Rory McIlroy NIR €1,253,687
15 Rhys Davies WAl €1,170,930
16 Luke Donald ENG €1,143,424
17 Peter Hanson SWE €1,133,281
18 Padraig Harrington IRE €1,053,630
19 Danny Willett ENG €1,022,162
20 Robert Karlsson SWE €1,021,855
Other Irish.
--------------
27 Darren Clark NIR €820,890
32 Damien McGrane IRL €736,583
34 Peter Lawrie IRE €711,805
35 Gareth Maybin NIR €709,640
61 Shane Lowry IRL €492,528
92 Michael Hoey NIR €291,035
121 Paul McGinley IRL €155,610
136 Simon Thornton IRL €116,954
192 Colm Moriarty IRL €43,770
236 Gary Murphy IRL €19,152
The first winner last year, Lee Westwood is in 3rd position behind the USPGA Champion Martin Kaymer. US Open Champion Graeme McDowell is in between them in 2nd place.
Last year's runner up, Rory McIlroy, who played most of his golf in the US this year is in 14th position . Padraig Harrington 18th, Darren Clarke 27th, Damien McGrane 32nd, Peter Lawrie 34th and Gareth Maybin 35th are well inside the top 60, and should be in attendance come the 25 November. Shane Lowry will be looking for a few good week's as he is in 61st place, €15,000 behind James Morrison who holds the 60th and final place at the moment.
Michael Hoey had a steady season so far and is in 92nd place on the table. With the top 125 to retain their cards he is safe for next year.
At the other end of the table there will be a struggle for Paul McGinley ( 121st ) and Simon Thornton ( 136th ) to reach the top 115. Gary Murphy has had a terrible year and will be back at tour school for the second year in a row.
Race to Dubai Order of merit.
---------------------------------------------------
1 Martin Kaymer GER €3,167,447
2 Graeme McDowell NIR €2,638,866
3 Lee Westwood ENG €1,878,307
4 Charl Schwartzel RSA €1,817,803
5 Ernie Els RSA €1,807,313
6 Miguel Angle Jimenez ESP €1,775,001
7 Edoarda Molinari ITA €1,754,398
8 Louis Oosthuizen RSA €1,747,726
9 Ian Poulter ENG €1,478,118
10 Paul Casey ENG €1,438,864
11 Francesco Molinari ITA €1,341,460
12 Alvaro Quiros ESP €1,259,814
13 Ross Fisher ENG €1,253,687
14 Rory McIlroy NIR €1,253,687
15 Rhys Davies WAl €1,170,930
16 Luke Donald ENG €1,143,424
17 Peter Hanson SWE €1,133,281
18 Padraig Harrington IRE €1,053,630
19 Danny Willett ENG €1,022,162
20 Robert Karlsson SWE €1,021,855
Other Irish.
--------------
27 Darren Clark NIR €820,890
32 Damien McGrane IRL €736,583
34 Peter Lawrie IRE €711,805
35 Gareth Maybin NIR €709,640
61 Shane Lowry IRL €492,528
92 Michael Hoey NIR €291,035
121 Paul McGinley IRL €155,610
136 Simon Thornton IRL €116,954
192 Colm Moriarty IRL €43,770
236 Gary Murphy IRL €19,152
CHALLENGE TOUR ORDER OF MERIT.
With only 4 events left to play on the Challenge Tour this year, it doesn't look likely that any of the Irish guys will make the top 20 and gain one of the 20 European Tour cards on offer for 2011.
Colm Moriarty is the leading Irishman way down in 52nd place with €21,824. He is over €24,000 behind Lee Slattery who is in 20th place. Alvaro Velasco from Spain is certain to make it back to the main tour next year as he leads the order of merit with €130,863.
TOP 20 ORDER OF MERIT.
---------------------
1 Alvaro VELASCO ESP €130,863
2 Oscar FLOREN SWE €95,111
3 Thorbjorn OLESEN DEN €95,043
4 Robert DINWIDDIE ENG €89,778
5 Julio ZAPATA ARG €84,471
6 Floris DE VRIES NED €82,291
7 George MURRAY SCO €67,900
8 Bernd WIESBERGER AUT €65,662
9 Mark TULLO CHI €59,348
10 Marius THORP NOR €59,262
11 Matthew ZIONS AUS €59,143
12 Magnus A CARLSSON SWE €56,241
13 Alexandre KALEKA FRA €55,695
14 Daniel GAUNT AUS €53,065
15 Charlie FORD ENG €51,882
16 Scott JAMIESON SCO €51,309
17 Joel SJÖHOLM SWE €50,385
18 Raymond RUSSELL SCO €48,485
19 Carlos DEL MORAL ESP €46,400
20 Lee SLATTERY ENG €46,316
OTHER IRISH.
------------
52 Colm MORIARTY IRL €21,824
105 Jonathan CALDWELL NIR €10,145
121 Michael McGEADY IRL €8,245
147 Gareth SHAW NIR €5,001
Colm Moriarty is the leading Irishman way down in 52nd place with €21,824. He is over €24,000 behind Lee Slattery who is in 20th place. Alvaro Velasco from Spain is certain to make it back to the main tour next year as he leads the order of merit with €130,863.
TOP 20 ORDER OF MERIT.
---------------------
1 Alvaro VELASCO ESP €130,863
2 Oscar FLOREN SWE €95,111
3 Thorbjorn OLESEN DEN €95,043
4 Robert DINWIDDIE ENG €89,778
5 Julio ZAPATA ARG €84,471
6 Floris DE VRIES NED €82,291
7 George MURRAY SCO €67,900
8 Bernd WIESBERGER AUT €65,662
9 Mark TULLO CHI €59,348
10 Marius THORP NOR €59,262
11 Matthew ZIONS AUS €59,143
12 Magnus A CARLSSON SWE €56,241
13 Alexandre KALEKA FRA €55,695
14 Daniel GAUNT AUS €53,065
15 Charlie FORD ENG €51,882
16 Scott JAMIESON SCO €51,309
17 Joel SJÖHOLM SWE €50,385
18 Raymond RUSSELL SCO €48,485
19 Carlos DEL MORAL ESP €46,400
20 Lee SLATTERY ENG €46,316
OTHER IRISH.
------------
52 Colm MORIARTY IRL €21,824
105 Jonathan CALDWELL NIR €10,145
121 Michael McGEADY IRL €8,245
147 Gareth SHAW NIR €5,001
MOONEY/HIGGINS TIE AT FOTA ISLAND PRO-AM.
Damien Mooney made a brilliant recovery to tie for the main prize after the 36 hole Fota Island Irish PGA Pro-Am came to a conclusion. Belfast man Mooney had a 4 under par 68 over the Belvelly course in the 1st round to sit in joint 2nd place with Glen Robinson ( St Helens Bay. ) and one shot behind Darren McWilliams.
There was a shot-gun start in round two with Mooney starting at the 8th hole on the difficult Deer Park course. He walked off the 8th green level par after a nightmare 8 at the par 4. Big hitting Mooney put the nightmare behind him to hit 7 birdies and claw his way back to the top of the leaderboard with a 1 under par 70.
After his terrible start, Mooney was happy to share top spot with Waterville's David Higgins with a 5 under par total. Higgins, who lost the No1 spot on the "Race to Mount Juliet" table to Irish PGA Champion, David Mortimer last week, claimed it back again with a best of the day 67 on the Deer Park course.
Overnight leader, Darren McWilliams finished in 3rd place after a 72 in the 2nd round left him on 4 under par.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) brought home the winning team with scores of 92 & 97 points to beat Brendan McDermott's ( Castlecomer ) team by 2 points.
1 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 71 67 -5.
Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 68 70 -5.
3 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )67 72 -4.
4 Robert Giles ( Greenore ) 72 68 -3.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com )70 70 -3.
6 Padraig Dooley ( Cork )71 70 -2.
7 Marcus Twitchett ( Hilton Templepatrick )73 69 -1.
Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne ) 71 71 -1.
Donal Gleeson ( Old Conna ) 72 70 -1.
Glen Robinson ( St Helen's ) 68 74 -1.
Cian McNamara ( Limerick ) 73 69 -1.
12 John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 71 72 Par.
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 75 68 Par.
14 David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 73 71 +1.
Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayne O'Callaghan Golf.com )74 70 +1.
16 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 75 70 +2.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 72 73 +2.
18 Gary Wardlow ( Edenderry Golf Academy ) 76 70 +3.
Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) 71 75 +3.
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf ) 73 73 +3.
David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 75 71 +3.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 71 75 +3.
Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com ) 73 73 +3.
Peter Jones ( Coollattin )74 72 +3.
There was a shot-gun start in round two with Mooney starting at the 8th hole on the difficult Deer Park course. He walked off the 8th green level par after a nightmare 8 at the par 4. Big hitting Mooney put the nightmare behind him to hit 7 birdies and claw his way back to the top of the leaderboard with a 1 under par 70.
After his terrible start, Mooney was happy to share top spot with Waterville's David Higgins with a 5 under par total. Higgins, who lost the No1 spot on the "Race to Mount Juliet" table to Irish PGA Champion, David Mortimer last week, claimed it back again with a best of the day 67 on the Deer Park course.
Overnight leader, Darren McWilliams finished in 3rd place after a 72 in the 2nd round left him on 4 under par.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) brought home the winning team with scores of 92 & 97 points to beat Brendan McDermott's ( Castlecomer ) team by 2 points.
1 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 71 67 -5.
Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 68 70 -5.
3 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )67 72 -4.
4 Robert Giles ( Greenore ) 72 68 -3.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com )70 70 -3.
6 Padraig Dooley ( Cork )71 70 -2.
7 Marcus Twitchett ( Hilton Templepatrick )73 69 -1.
Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne ) 71 71 -1.
Donal Gleeson ( Old Conna ) 72 70 -1.
Glen Robinson ( St Helen's ) 68 74 -1.
Cian McNamara ( Limerick ) 73 69 -1.
12 John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 71 72 Par.
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 75 68 Par.
14 David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 73 71 +1.
Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayne O'Callaghan Golf.com )74 70 +1.
16 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 75 70 +2.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 72 73 +2.
18 Gary Wardlow ( Edenderry Golf Academy ) 76 70 +3.
Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) 71 75 +3.
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf ) 73 73 +3.
David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 75 71 +3.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 71 75 +3.
Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com ) 73 73 +3.
Peter Jones ( Coollattin )74 72 +3.
TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP FINISH TO THE EUROPRO TOUR IN CYPRUS.
The top 60 from the order of merit on the Europro Tour made their way to Aphrodite Hills Golf Club in Cyprus for the season ending Tour Championship. James Heath won the biggest event in the 2010 PGA EuroPro Tour season after triumphing in a dramatic three-way play-off.
The win was important to Heath as he moved from 28th in the order of merit up to 4th after collecting the €20,000 ( £17,014. ) and a certain move to the Challenge Tour next year.
Heath, Kevin Harper ( East Devon ) and Lawrence Dodd were all tied on seven-under.
Scotland’s Craig Lee ( Aspire Golf Centre ) made a late surge with a course record 62to finish in tied fourth after being well down the leaderboard on the opening day.
Brendan McCarroll from Derry was the leader going into the final round. McCarroll had opened with rounds of 69 and 63 to sit on 8 under par and lead by 2 shots. A win would have guaranteed Brendan a Challenge Tour spot for next year, but a poor closing round of 75 dropped him into a share of 11th along with Limerick's Tim Rice on 3 under par.
The top Irishman was Lurgan's Gareth Shaw. He started slowly with a one over par 71, then followed up with a pair of 67's to take 7th place on 5 under par.
Other Irish results were, Noel Fox 23rd on level par 210, Neil O'Briain and Michael Collins finished 28th on +1. Brian McElhinney and Paul O'Hanlon were tied 48th on +8 218.
This year the top 7 from the final order of merit go through to the Challenge Tour as the leader Daniel Guant and the 5th place man, Craig Lee are already qualified for next year. Guant won an event last month on the Challenge Tour and Lee has already finished in the top 80 of the Challenge Tour.
The other 5 are Matthew Evans, James Hepworth ( Winner at Galgorm Castle. ),James Heath, Nick McCarthy and Ian Keenan ( Winner at Castle Dargen. ) in Sligo.
The best placed home player was Brendan McCarroll who finished in 25th place with earnings of £7,058 from 14 tournaments.
FINAL EUROPRO ORDER OF MERIT 2010.
1 Daniel S. Gaunt £24,700
2 Matthew Evans £24,123
3 James N. Hepworth £24,020
4 James J. Heath £23,169
5 Craig Lee £19,237
6 Nick McCarthy £16,742
7 Ian Keenan £16,315
8 James Busby £15,747
9 Matt Allen £15,736
10 Paul Maddy £15,195
Irish Results
---------------
25 Brendan McCarroll £7,058
27 Paul O'Hanlon £6,706
32 Gareth Shaw £4,715
33 Tim Rice £4,587
37 Michael Collins £4,087
38 Brian McElhinney £4,003
44 Neil O Briain £2,760
48 Noel Fox £2,476
62 Barrie Trainor £1,718
68 Michael McGeady £1,454
74 David Rawluk £1,325
92 Michael Lavelle £1,023
97 Mark Staunton £831
103 Jonathon Mallon £768
115 Cian McNamara £558
150 Shane Franklin £202
157 Mark Campbell £182
The win was important to Heath as he moved from 28th in the order of merit up to 4th after collecting the €20,000 ( £17,014. ) and a certain move to the Challenge Tour next year.
Heath, Kevin Harper ( East Devon ) and Lawrence Dodd were all tied on seven-under.
Scotland’s Craig Lee ( Aspire Golf Centre ) made a late surge with a course record 62to finish in tied fourth after being well down the leaderboard on the opening day.
Brendan McCarroll from Derry was the leader going into the final round. McCarroll had opened with rounds of 69 and 63 to sit on 8 under par and lead by 2 shots. A win would have guaranteed Brendan a Challenge Tour spot for next year, but a poor closing round of 75 dropped him into a share of 11th along with Limerick's Tim Rice on 3 under par.
The top Irishman was Lurgan's Gareth Shaw. He started slowly with a one over par 71, then followed up with a pair of 67's to take 7th place on 5 under par.
Other Irish results were, Noel Fox 23rd on level par 210, Neil O'Briain and Michael Collins finished 28th on +1. Brian McElhinney and Paul O'Hanlon were tied 48th on +8 218.
This year the top 7 from the final order of merit go through to the Challenge Tour as the leader Daniel Guant and the 5th place man, Craig Lee are already qualified for next year. Guant won an event last month on the Challenge Tour and Lee has already finished in the top 80 of the Challenge Tour.
The other 5 are Matthew Evans, James Hepworth ( Winner at Galgorm Castle. ),James Heath, Nick McCarthy and Ian Keenan ( Winner at Castle Dargen. ) in Sligo.
The best placed home player was Brendan McCarroll who finished in 25th place with earnings of £7,058 from 14 tournaments.
FINAL EUROPRO ORDER OF MERIT 2010.
1 Daniel S. Gaunt £24,700
2 Matthew Evans £24,123
3 James N. Hepworth £24,020
4 James J. Heath £23,169
5 Craig Lee £19,237
6 Nick McCarthy £16,742
7 Ian Keenan £16,315
8 James Busby £15,747
9 Matt Allen £15,736
10 Paul Maddy £15,195
Irish Results
---------------
25 Brendan McCarroll £7,058
27 Paul O'Hanlon £6,706
32 Gareth Shaw £4,715
33 Tim Rice £4,587
37 Michael Collins £4,087
38 Brian McElhinney £4,003
44 Neil O Briain £2,760
48 Noel Fox £2,476
62 Barrie Trainor £1,718
68 Michael McGeady £1,454
74 David Rawluk £1,325
92 Michael Lavelle £1,023
97 Mark Staunton £831
103 Jonathon Mallon £768
115 Cian McNamara £558
150 Shane Franklin £202
157 Mark Campbell £182
Tuesday 28 September 2010
DRAMATIC FINISH WINS 100TH IRISH PGA CHAMPIONSHIP FOR MORTIMER.
Golf became an important part of David Mortimer's life many years ago when he discovered the Par 3 course at Renvyle House, in Connemara, just beside the Mortimer family home. Since those early days David has taken more than a passing interest in golf and has improved his game along the way - quietly and diligently – receiving recognition at Interprovincial level, Irish Youths and Irish Seniors level.
Standing six foot three, it is hard to imagine Mortimer as a quiet man but indeed he is. On a golf course that silence should not understate his winning mentality as he can go about his business with lethal efficiency. This was never more evident than at Seapoint Golf Club on the Saturday of the Irish PGA Championship, when he eased up the leader board unannounced to take the outright lead ahead of Sunday’s final round – winning the event with an eagle on the last green.
The reward for his round 69 on Saturday was a pairing with the pre-tournament favourite Damien McGrane in the chase for the Irish PGA Championship.
From the outset, composure never abandoned Mortimer, even at the second when McGrane levelled the scores with a birdie or even later at the ninth, when the best Mortimer could do was scramble a par, to remain just one shot behind.
Off the tenth tee box Mortimer replied with a fairway splitting drive, after McGrane went wayward, then carried two greenside bunkers with a superb second to settle on the green in two. With deadly accuracy, Mortimer holed his birdie chance to get back level - adding another birdie on the next hole to take a one shot lead until the 17th green.
On the final hole a stunning forty foot eagle putt was delivered by Mortimer with his usual calm, even under the pressure of a looming play off. That left even the experienced McGrane aghast and clutching his head momentarily - given he had just rattled the flag with his chip for an eagle and was waiting to putt for a birdie.
It was also the celebration of David's second Irish PGA title, four years after the last one. This has been a superb season for Mortimer that is culminating into a series of milestones, including the Glenmuir PGA Championship six weeks previously and passing through Stage 1 of the European Tour School - in dreadful weather conditions - at Dundonald Links.
Although the season is drawing to a close there are still more tournaments to be played before the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet order of merit is compiled. At present Mortimer is the leader.
Mortimer will also play in the Skins PGA Fourball Championship at Forest Pines on October 6-8th, with partner Kevin McGrath ( Birr ) as they seek victory in the 54-hole event at the Lincoln course against defending champion Stuart Taylor ( Island ) and new partner James Erskine ( Portpatrick ) Dunskey.
In mid November Mortimer then heads to Stage 2 of the European Tour Qualifying School with the other Irish prospects – team mate Michael Collins, Barrie Trainor and Gareth Shaw of Team Ireland, Damian Mooney, Michael McGeady of Cambridge-Duffy, Niall Turner, Stephen Grant and Mervyn Owens - where he believes there is unfinished business, having failed to make the grade on a couple of previous trips – even opting out last year as things were not right for him.
In 2011 Mortimer is lined up to play the PGA Cup for the Great Britain and Ireland team against the USA at CordeValle, California as part of his win at the Glenmuir PGA Championship Grand Final.
However before any of these trips, the 2010 Irish PGA Champion has earned a start at the £4,500,000 BMW PGA Championship flagship event at Wentworth next May and gets the opportunity to test his skills amidst the world’s best golfers on the redesigned West Course.
“At the start of the season, I was a bit cautious about how well things would go, but I'm not one for boasting and saying I'll do this and that," explained Mortimer recently. "I always knew what I was capable of and I feel it's best to be quietly confident."
Mortimer has achieved all this while still giving lessons at the GUI National Academy at Carton House where he is a teaching professional. Undoubtedly the students have learned that when the Quiet Man speaks one listens.
Rossa McDermott FOREIreland
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David Mortimer is a member of FORE Ireland
FORE Ireland promotes golf in Ireland and provides management to players on the European Tour - or trying to reach that goal. Team members included Michael Collins, Mark Staunton, Ted Higgins, Kevin Dorrian and Philip Walton.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
100th Irish PGA Championship results.
1 David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 70 70 69 68 -11.
2 Damien Mc Grane ( Unattached ) 71 70 69 68 -10.
3 John Kelly ( St.Margaret's ) 73 73 67 68 -7.
4 Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy ) 67 72 73 70 -6.
Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 66 73 71 72 -6.
6 Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf ) 70 71 72 70 -5.
7 Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf GC )71 75 67 71 -4.
8 Glen Robinson ( St Helen's Bay ) 72 72 72 69 -3.
9 Mark O'Sullivan (Ashbourne ) 70 76 69 71 -2.
10 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 71 75 68 73 -1.
11 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 71 71 76 70 Par.
Brian McElhinney ( Team Ireland ) 69 76 69 74 Par.
13 Michael Allan (Pure Golf at Leopardstown ) 74 75 70 70 +1.
14 Des Smyth ( Unattached ) 69 75 71 75 +2.
Seamus Clinton ( Portsalon )72 73 68 77 +2.
16 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 71 80 71 69 +3.
Graeme Dunlea ( Adare Manor ) 71 74 72 74 +3.
Robert Giles ( Greenore )71 74 72 74 +3.
Shane Lowry ( Esker Hills ) 70 72 74 75 +3.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 72 73 71 75 +3.
21 James Quinlivan ( Unattached )75 70 73 75 +5.
Michael McDermott ( Pure Golf Leopardstown )71 77 69 76 +5.
23 David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 73 74 76 71 +6
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 75 72 70 77 +6.
25 John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 73 75 73 74 +7.
26 Cian McNamara ( Limerick ) 71 78 75 72 +8.
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny ) 72 70 75 79 +8.
28 Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 78 73 68 78 +9.
29 Leslie Walker ( Dundalk ) 74 77 76 71 +10.
Peter Jones ( Coollattin )76 75 73 74 +10.
Liam Bowler ( Wexford ) 74 75 74 75 +10.
Enda McLoughlin ( Wicklow ) 70 79 74 75 +10
33 Eamonn Logue ( Hilton Templepatrick ) 76 75 75 73 +11.
34 Patrick Devine ( Royal Dublin ) 70 76 79 75 +12.
Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) 72 75 76 77 +12.
Joe Murray ( Hollystown ) 78 69 72 81 +12.
37 Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 71 78 78 74 +13.
Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com ) 78 73 76 74 +13.
Michael Mulryan ( Athenry ) 72 77 75 77 +13.
40 Michael O'Shea ( Callan ) 76 73 78 75 +14
41 Peter Hanna ( Lurgan ) 74 76 75 78 +15.
Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) 76 75 73 79 +15.
43 Chris Moriarty ( Donaghadee )75 73 78 78 +16.
Richard Creamer ( Tuam ) 71 74 79 80 +16.
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com )73 77 74 80 +16.
Marcus Twitchett ( Hilton Templepatrick )76 75 73 80 +16.
47 Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy )71 78 78 78 +17.
Kevin Dorrian ( Scrabo ) 75 76 76 78 +17.
49 Paul Stevenson ( Portadown )76 72 77 81 +18.
50 Nigel Howley ( Balbriggan ) 74 74 77 82 +19.
51 Melvyn Flanagan ( Mount Temple ) 76 74 78 80 +20.
52 David Walker ( Foxrock ) 74 77 81 80 +24.
Standing six foot three, it is hard to imagine Mortimer as a quiet man but indeed he is. On a golf course that silence should not understate his winning mentality as he can go about his business with lethal efficiency. This was never more evident than at Seapoint Golf Club on the Saturday of the Irish PGA Championship, when he eased up the leader board unannounced to take the outright lead ahead of Sunday’s final round – winning the event with an eagle on the last green.
The reward for his round 69 on Saturday was a pairing with the pre-tournament favourite Damien McGrane in the chase for the Irish PGA Championship.
From the outset, composure never abandoned Mortimer, even at the second when McGrane levelled the scores with a birdie or even later at the ninth, when the best Mortimer could do was scramble a par, to remain just one shot behind.
Off the tenth tee box Mortimer replied with a fairway splitting drive, after McGrane went wayward, then carried two greenside bunkers with a superb second to settle on the green in two. With deadly accuracy, Mortimer holed his birdie chance to get back level - adding another birdie on the next hole to take a one shot lead until the 17th green.
On the final hole a stunning forty foot eagle putt was delivered by Mortimer with his usual calm, even under the pressure of a looming play off. That left even the experienced McGrane aghast and clutching his head momentarily - given he had just rattled the flag with his chip for an eagle and was waiting to putt for a birdie.
It was also the celebration of David's second Irish PGA title, four years after the last one. This has been a superb season for Mortimer that is culminating into a series of milestones, including the Glenmuir PGA Championship six weeks previously and passing through Stage 1 of the European Tour School - in dreadful weather conditions - at Dundonald Links.
Although the season is drawing to a close there are still more tournaments to be played before the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet order of merit is compiled. At present Mortimer is the leader.
Mortimer will also play in the Skins PGA Fourball Championship at Forest Pines on October 6-8th, with partner Kevin McGrath ( Birr ) as they seek victory in the 54-hole event at the Lincoln course against defending champion Stuart Taylor ( Island ) and new partner James Erskine ( Portpatrick ) Dunskey.
In mid November Mortimer then heads to Stage 2 of the European Tour Qualifying School with the other Irish prospects – team mate Michael Collins, Barrie Trainor and Gareth Shaw of Team Ireland, Damian Mooney, Michael McGeady of Cambridge-Duffy, Niall Turner, Stephen Grant and Mervyn Owens - where he believes there is unfinished business, having failed to make the grade on a couple of previous trips – even opting out last year as things were not right for him.
In 2011 Mortimer is lined up to play the PGA Cup for the Great Britain and Ireland team against the USA at CordeValle, California as part of his win at the Glenmuir PGA Championship Grand Final.
However before any of these trips, the 2010 Irish PGA Champion has earned a start at the £4,500,000 BMW PGA Championship flagship event at Wentworth next May and gets the opportunity to test his skills amidst the world’s best golfers on the redesigned West Course.
“At the start of the season, I was a bit cautious about how well things would go, but I'm not one for boasting and saying I'll do this and that," explained Mortimer recently. "I always knew what I was capable of and I feel it's best to be quietly confident."
Mortimer has achieved all this while still giving lessons at the GUI National Academy at Carton House where he is a teaching professional. Undoubtedly the students have learned that when the Quiet Man speaks one listens.
Rossa McDermott FOREIreland
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David Mortimer is a member of FORE Ireland
FORE Ireland promotes golf in Ireland and provides management to players on the European Tour - or trying to reach that goal. Team members included Michael Collins, Mark Staunton, Ted Higgins, Kevin Dorrian and Philip Walton.
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100th Irish PGA Championship results.
1 David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 70 70 69 68 -11.
2 Damien Mc Grane ( Unattached ) 71 70 69 68 -10.
3 John Kelly ( St.Margaret's ) 73 73 67 68 -7.
4 Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy ) 67 72 73 70 -6.
Damian Mooney ( Unattached ) 66 73 71 72 -6.
6 Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf ) 70 71 72 70 -5.
7 Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf GC )71 75 67 71 -4.
8 Glen Robinson ( St Helen's Bay ) 72 72 72 69 -3.
9 Mark O'Sullivan (Ashbourne ) 70 76 69 71 -2.
10 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 71 75 68 73 -1.
11 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 71 71 76 70 Par.
Brian McElhinney ( Team Ireland ) 69 76 69 74 Par.
13 Michael Allan (Pure Golf at Leopardstown ) 74 75 70 70 +1.
14 Des Smyth ( Unattached ) 69 75 71 75 +2.
Seamus Clinton ( Portsalon )72 73 68 77 +2.
16 Seamus McMonagle ( Edmondstown ) 71 80 71 69 +3.
Graeme Dunlea ( Adare Manor ) 71 74 72 74 +3.
Robert Giles ( Greenore )71 74 72 74 +3.
Shane Lowry ( Esker Hills ) 70 72 74 75 +3.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 72 73 71 75 +3.
21 James Quinlivan ( Unattached )75 70 73 75 +5.
Michael McDermott ( Pure Golf Leopardstown )71 77 69 76 +5.
23 David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 73 74 76 71 +6
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne ) 75 72 70 77 +6.
25 John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 73 75 73 74 +7.
26 Cian McNamara ( Limerick ) 71 78 75 72 +8.
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny ) 72 70 75 79 +8.
28 Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 78 73 68 78 +9.
29 Leslie Walker ( Dundalk ) 74 77 76 71 +10.
Peter Jones ( Coollattin )76 75 73 74 +10.
Liam Bowler ( Wexford ) 74 75 74 75 +10.
Enda McLoughlin ( Wicklow ) 70 79 74 75 +10
33 Eamonn Logue ( Hilton Templepatrick ) 76 75 75 73 +11.
34 Patrick Devine ( Royal Dublin ) 70 76 79 75 +12.
Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) 72 75 76 77 +12.
Joe Murray ( Hollystown ) 78 69 72 81 +12.
37 Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 71 78 78 74 +13.
Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com ) 78 73 76 74 +13.
Michael Mulryan ( Athenry ) 72 77 75 77 +13.
40 Michael O'Shea ( Callan ) 76 73 78 75 +14
41 Peter Hanna ( Lurgan ) 74 76 75 78 +15.
Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) 76 75 73 79 +15.
43 Chris Moriarty ( Donaghadee )75 73 78 78 +16.
Richard Creamer ( Tuam ) 71 74 79 80 +16.
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com )73 77 74 80 +16.
Marcus Twitchett ( Hilton Templepatrick )76 75 73 80 +16.
47 Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy )71 78 78 78 +17.
Kevin Dorrian ( Scrabo ) 75 76 76 78 +17.
49 Paul Stevenson ( Portadown )76 72 77 81 +18.
50 Nigel Howley ( Balbriggan ) 74 74 77 82 +19.
51 Melvyn Flanagan ( Mount Temple ) 76 74 78 80 +20.
52 David Walker ( Foxrock ) 74 77 81 80 +24.
THE LONG ROAD TO WIN A EUROPEAN TOUR CARD.
There is a long road ahead for around a 1,000 young guys looking to break into the European Tour for 2011. The qualifing takes place in three stages and finishes with only the top 30 gaining a card after 252 holes. That is 14 rounds of golf and it costs each player £1,350 to enter.
Stage 1 has been completed. A total of 48 Irish Amateurs and Professionals played 72 holes with only 9 surviving to reach stage 2.
There were 8 different venues used for stage 1 ranging from England, Scotland, Austria, Portugal, France, Germany and Italy.
Michael McGeady had a pair of 67s to easily come through in 3rd place around the London Club on -13. He was joined by Niall Turner who finished with a 67 to squeese through on the -5 cut mark.
Mervyn Owens closed with a 68 at Fleesensee Golf Club in Germany to finish on level par and along with Stephen Grant 71 they made it through on the level par cut mark.
The 19 Irish playing at Dundonald Links in Scotland had constant delays because of the high winds. They finished up playing 36 holes on the final day. Big hitting Damien Mooney, hit the low score of the week in round 2. He had a -6 round of 66 which helped him into 2nd spot on 2 over par. Gareth Shaw made a great recovery with a closing 69 to make the +16 cut by 4 shots. Also through is Michael Collins on +8, David Mortimer and Barrie Trainor on +15.
The 9 golfers who made it through stage 1, will now make their way to Spain on the 26th - 29th November. There are 4 courses used for stage 2, Costa Ballena, Arcos Gardens in Jerez, El Valle & Hacienda del Alamo in Murcia.
If any come through stage 2 they will make their way to the PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona for the final 108 hole on the 4th - 9th December. 156 golfers will play 72 holes with the top 70 & ties playing a further 36 holes to decide the 30 places for European Tour golf next year.
Stage 1 has been completed. A total of 48 Irish Amateurs and Professionals played 72 holes with only 9 surviving to reach stage 2.
There were 8 different venues used for stage 1 ranging from England, Scotland, Austria, Portugal, France, Germany and Italy.
Michael McGeady had a pair of 67s to easily come through in 3rd place around the London Club on -13. He was joined by Niall Turner who finished with a 67 to squeese through on the -5 cut mark.
Mervyn Owens closed with a 68 at Fleesensee Golf Club in Germany to finish on level par and along with Stephen Grant 71 they made it through on the level par cut mark.
The 19 Irish playing at Dundonald Links in Scotland had constant delays because of the high winds. They finished up playing 36 holes on the final day. Big hitting Damien Mooney, hit the low score of the week in round 2. He had a -6 round of 66 which helped him into 2nd spot on 2 over par. Gareth Shaw made a great recovery with a closing 69 to make the +16 cut by 4 shots. Also through is Michael Collins on +8, David Mortimer and Barrie Trainor on +15.
The 9 golfers who made it through stage 1, will now make their way to Spain on the 26th - 29th November. There are 4 courses used for stage 2, Costa Ballena, Arcos Gardens in Jerez, El Valle & Hacienda del Alamo in Murcia.
If any come through stage 2 they will make their way to the PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona for the final 108 hole on the 4th - 9th December. 156 golfers will play 72 holes with the top 70 & ties playing a further 36 holes to decide the 30 places for European Tour golf next year.
Monday 20 September 2010
MARK O' SULLIVAN WINS CONNEMARA PRO-AM.
Former Irish Close Champion, Mark O'Sullivan from Galway, now an assistant Professional at Ashbourne Golf Club won the 36 hole Connemara Irish PGA Pro-Am with scores of 73,70.
O'Sullivan, who is the reigning Irish PGA Assistants' Champion has got his game in good shape for the defence of his title coming up next month at his new club, Ashbourne.
O'Sullivan was the only player to finish under par in the wet and windy conditions. He had 3 shots to spare from Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy ), Peter Martin ( Riverside golf academy ) and Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayne O'Callaghan golf.com ).
Local professional Hugh O'Neill led the field with an opening 2 under par 70, but faded in the 2nd round with a 78. His consolation was to win the team event with three local amateurs. They returned 87 and 84 points to win by 3 points from Michael Mulryan's ( Athenry ) team who had a brilliant 91 points in the 2nd round.
1 Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne )Golf Club 143 -1.
2 Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy )146 +2.
Peter Martin ( Riverside )146 +2.
Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayne O'Callaghan Golf.com )146 +2.
5 Garry Cullen ( Beaverstown )148 +4.
David Higgins ( Waterville )148 +4.
David Mortimer ( foreireland.com )148 +4.
Damian Mooney ( Unattached )148 +4.
Hugh O'Neill ( Connemara ) 148 +4.
10Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny )149 +5.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer )149 +5.
Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )149 +5.
13Shaun Donnelly ( Castle Hume )150 +6.
Ian Kerr ( Bunclody )150 +6.
Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf ) 150 +6.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley )150 +6.
O'Sullivan, who is the reigning Irish PGA Assistants' Champion has got his game in good shape for the defence of his title coming up next month at his new club, Ashbourne.
O'Sullivan was the only player to finish under par in the wet and windy conditions. He had 3 shots to spare from Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy ), Peter Martin ( Riverside golf academy ) and Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayne O'Callaghan golf.com ).
Local professional Hugh O'Neill led the field with an opening 2 under par 70, but faded in the 2nd round with a 78. His consolation was to win the team event with three local amateurs. They returned 87 and 84 points to win by 3 points from Michael Mulryan's ( Athenry ) team who had a brilliant 91 points in the 2nd round.
1 Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne )Golf Club 143 -1.
2 Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy )146 +2.
Peter Martin ( Riverside )146 +2.
Wayne O'Callaghan ( Wayne O'Callaghan Golf.com )146 +2.
5 Garry Cullen ( Beaverstown )148 +4.
David Higgins ( Waterville )148 +4.
David Mortimer ( foreireland.com )148 +4.
Damian Mooney ( Unattached )148 +4.
Hugh O'Neill ( Connemara ) 148 +4.
10Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny )149 +5.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer )149 +5.
Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )149 +5.
13Shaun Donnelly ( Castle Hume )150 +6.
Ian Kerr ( Bunclody )150 +6.
Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf ) 150 +6.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley )150 +6.
MIXED RESULTS FOR ULSTER IN ALL-IRELAND FINALS.
Five Ulster golf clubs made the long journey to Castlebar to represent Ulster in the All Ireland finals of the Senior Cup, Barton Shield, Junior Cup, Jimmy Bruen Shield and the Pierce Purcell Shield.
The only team to bring home the gold medals were Dunmurry, who won the Barton Shield. Darren Crowe and Patrick McGlone finished level in their semi-final match against Bandon golf club from Cork. Stephan Crowe and Glenn McAuley held on for a one hole win to set Dunmurry up for a final game against Headfort golf club. Headfort had a very convincing win over Galway beating them by 7 holes.
In the final, Dunmurry made no mistakes, with Darren Crowe and Patrick McGlone getting off to a great start against Joe Dillan & Greg Mungovan. They went on to win by 5 holes and with Stephan Crowe and Glenn McAuley holding Rory McNamara and Brian Casey level, the All Ireland Barton Shield went to Dunmurry team captain, Tony Cassidy for the first time.
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Lurgan golf club looked very good against Kilkenny in the semi-final of the Senior Cup when they won 4-1, taking the top 3 matches with wins from Francis Tallon 3/2, Steve Kelly 2/1 and Dave Sutton. Sutton earned the winning point with a 4/3 victory over past Irish Champion, Eddie Power. In the other semi-final Bandon beat Co.Sligo 3-2.
Bandon, with the disappointment of losing the Barton Shield final to Dunmurry had to face another Ulster team, Lurgan, this time in the Senior Cup final.
It was new ground for both teams as neither had reached this stage before. The weather took a turn for the worse as the golfers had to play through continuous rain all afternoon. Bandon handled the conditions best, winning the first point with Brian O'Donavan beating Francis Tallon 4/3. Steve Kelly went down 5/4 to Kieran Hurley and when James Horan lost in the final match against Donal O'Donavan 4/2, Lurgan had to admit defeat.
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Portumna Golf club from Galway beat Banbridge in the semi-final of the Junior Cup by 3.5 - 1.5 but the match was a lot closer than the result suggests.
Four of the games went to the 17th or 18th holes. Ross McCandless got Banbridge off to a winning start with a 2/1 win in the top match over Ger Lynch. Luke Woods and Rory Madeley were beaten, giving Portumna a 2-1 lead. There was disappointment for Banbridge when Jonathan Burns went down on the final green to Shane Ryan, giving Portuma a place in the final against Naas who beat East Cork by the same 3.5-1.5 margin.
Portumna went on to collect the Junior Cup with a convincing 3-2 win over Naas.
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Tandragee Golf Club represented Ulster in the Jimmy Bruen Shield and they were up against Swinford golf club in the semi-final, while Clontarf faced Carrick-on-Suir in the other semi-final.
Tandragee got a great start, winning the top game with Gordon Haire & Johnny Quinn combining well to win 3/2. Swinford drew level with a 2/1 win in the 2nd game. After that it was all Tandragee. Ryan Harper & Warren Jardine got their win on the 18th and Ross Dutton & Stefan McNeill got the winning point with a 2/1 victory.
Tandragee had to face Leinster Champions Clontarf in the final, as they beat Carrick-on-Suir by 3.5-1.5.
In the final Stefan Greenburg & Mark Bannerman got the 1st point on the board for Tandragee with a 2/1 win. There was heartbreak for Tandragee when their top pair of Gordon Haire & Johnny Quinn went down on the 20th hole. Ryan Harpur & Warren Jardine and the final pair of Emmet Nixon & Jeff Forde were both beaten to give Clontarf the All Ireland Shield.
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Lisburn golf club went down to Nenagh Golf Club in the semi-finals of the Pierce Purcell Shield on the final green in the final match at Castlebar.
Brian Houston & Paul Smyth won 3/2 and Malcolm Stewart & Barry McQuillan 4/3 recording great wins for Lisburn but it wasn't enough as Chris Cork & Colin Hill and Alan Walker & John Kelso were both beaten on the 14th green. With the tie locked at 2 points each all attention turned to the final game.
Robert Campbell & Colin Jeffers for Lisburn worked hard for a win but had to admit defeat to Sean McLaughlin & William Harty from Nenagh on the final green.
Curragh golf club beat Co.Sligo 3.5-1.5 and went on to beat Nenagh by the same margin in the final.
The only team to bring home the gold medals were Dunmurry, who won the Barton Shield. Darren Crowe and Patrick McGlone finished level in their semi-final match against Bandon golf club from Cork. Stephan Crowe and Glenn McAuley held on for a one hole win to set Dunmurry up for a final game against Headfort golf club. Headfort had a very convincing win over Galway beating them by 7 holes.
In the final, Dunmurry made no mistakes, with Darren Crowe and Patrick McGlone getting off to a great start against Joe Dillan & Greg Mungovan. They went on to win by 5 holes and with Stephan Crowe and Glenn McAuley holding Rory McNamara and Brian Casey level, the All Ireland Barton Shield went to Dunmurry team captain, Tony Cassidy for the first time.
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Lurgan golf club looked very good against Kilkenny in the semi-final of the Senior Cup when they won 4-1, taking the top 3 matches with wins from Francis Tallon 3/2, Steve Kelly 2/1 and Dave Sutton. Sutton earned the winning point with a 4/3 victory over past Irish Champion, Eddie Power. In the other semi-final Bandon beat Co.Sligo 3-2.
Bandon, with the disappointment of losing the Barton Shield final to Dunmurry had to face another Ulster team, Lurgan, this time in the Senior Cup final.
It was new ground for both teams as neither had reached this stage before. The weather took a turn for the worse as the golfers had to play through continuous rain all afternoon. Bandon handled the conditions best, winning the first point with Brian O'Donavan beating Francis Tallon 4/3. Steve Kelly went down 5/4 to Kieran Hurley and when James Horan lost in the final match against Donal O'Donavan 4/2, Lurgan had to admit defeat.
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Portumna Golf club from Galway beat Banbridge in the semi-final of the Junior Cup by 3.5 - 1.5 but the match was a lot closer than the result suggests.
Four of the games went to the 17th or 18th holes. Ross McCandless got Banbridge off to a winning start with a 2/1 win in the top match over Ger Lynch. Luke Woods and Rory Madeley were beaten, giving Portumna a 2-1 lead. There was disappointment for Banbridge when Jonathan Burns went down on the final green to Shane Ryan, giving Portuma a place in the final against Naas who beat East Cork by the same 3.5-1.5 margin.
Portumna went on to collect the Junior Cup with a convincing 3-2 win over Naas.
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Tandragee Golf Club represented Ulster in the Jimmy Bruen Shield and they were up against Swinford golf club in the semi-final, while Clontarf faced Carrick-on-Suir in the other semi-final.
Tandragee got a great start, winning the top game with Gordon Haire & Johnny Quinn combining well to win 3/2. Swinford drew level with a 2/1 win in the 2nd game. After that it was all Tandragee. Ryan Harper & Warren Jardine got their win on the 18th and Ross Dutton & Stefan McNeill got the winning point with a 2/1 victory.
Tandragee had to face Leinster Champions Clontarf in the final, as they beat Carrick-on-Suir by 3.5-1.5.
In the final Stefan Greenburg & Mark Bannerman got the 1st point on the board for Tandragee with a 2/1 win. There was heartbreak for Tandragee when their top pair of Gordon Haire & Johnny Quinn went down on the 20th hole. Ryan Harpur & Warren Jardine and the final pair of Emmet Nixon & Jeff Forde were both beaten to give Clontarf the All Ireland Shield.
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Lisburn golf club went down to Nenagh Golf Club in the semi-finals of the Pierce Purcell Shield on the final green in the final match at Castlebar.
Brian Houston & Paul Smyth won 3/2 and Malcolm Stewart & Barry McQuillan 4/3 recording great wins for Lisburn but it wasn't enough as Chris Cork & Colin Hill and Alan Walker & John Kelso were both beaten on the 14th green. With the tie locked at 2 points each all attention turned to the final game.
Robert Campbell & Colin Jeffers for Lisburn worked hard for a win but had to admit defeat to Sean McLaughlin & William Harty from Nenagh on the final green.
Curragh golf club beat Co.Sligo 3.5-1.5 and went on to beat Nenagh by the same margin in the final.
JOSE MANUEL LARA WINS AUSTRIA OPEN IN A PLAY-OFF.
What a difference two weeks can make in the life of a tour golfer. Jose Manuel Lara was struggling to keep his tour card, having missed 9 consecutive cuts, when he tee'd off in the KLM Dutch Open. He finished 4th and with his confidence restored, he headed for the Austrian Open.
Lara opened with a 66, followed up with a 71 and 70 and closed with a brilliant 66 to set the clubhouse target of 17 under par. Overnight leader David Lynn joined him on that score, while Graeme McDowell, Alexander Noren and Danny Willett fell off the pace to finish in joint 3rd on -14.
Lara won at the first tie-hole with a par, as Lynn drove into the rough and couldn't make the green in regulation.
Two weeks ago, Lara was facing a visit to tour school with an uncertain future. Now he is up to 93rd in the Race to Dubai and has guaranteed his future for the next two years with an exemption on the European Tour.
As well as Graeme McDowell finishing 3rd, Damien McGrane was 6th on 13 under par after rounds of 67,76,67,65. Simon Thornton is getting closer to keeping his tour card. He won €7,012 for a share of 26th place on 6 under par and Gary Murphy got through the cut on the +1 mark. He finished well down in 64th on 4 over par.
Lara opened with a 66, followed up with a 71 and 70 and closed with a brilliant 66 to set the clubhouse target of 17 under par. Overnight leader David Lynn joined him on that score, while Graeme McDowell, Alexander Noren and Danny Willett fell off the pace to finish in joint 3rd on -14.
Lara won at the first tie-hole with a par, as Lynn drove into the rough and couldn't make the green in regulation.
Two weeks ago, Lara was facing a visit to tour school with an uncertain future. Now he is up to 93rd in the Race to Dubai and has guaranteed his future for the next two years with an exemption on the European Tour.
As well as Graeme McDowell finishing 3rd, Damien McGrane was 6th on 13 under par after rounds of 67,76,67,65. Simon Thornton is getting closer to keeping his tour card. He won €7,012 for a share of 26th place on 6 under par and Gary Murphy got through the cut on the +1 mark. He finished well down in 64th on 4 over par.
Friday 17 September 2010
DARREN MC WILLIAMS WINS BALLINROBE PRO-AM.
Darren McWilliams collected his second Pro-Am win on the Irish PGA circuit this year, when he returned a 3 under par round of 70 in the Ballinrobe Pro-Am. His previous win was at the Fintona Pro-Am with a 2 under par 70.
It has been a good year for McWilliams as he has also finished 2nd on four occasions, and 3rd in both the Ulster and Southern Championships. His fine golf has him in 3rd position on the " Race To Mount Juliet " order of merit, coming towards the end of the season.
Thomas Niland ( Athenry ) finished runner up to McWilliams with a 2 under par round of 71, with Eoin O'Connor ( Kilkenny ) , David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) and Eamon Brady ( Clontarf ) 3rd with 1 under par rounds of 72.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) took in the winning Pro-Am team with a great score of 93 points, beating Chris McVitty's ( Bundoran )team by 1 point.
Ballinrobe Professional Results
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1 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )70 -3.
2 Thomas Niland ( Athenry )71 -2.
3 Eoin O'Connor ( Kilkenny )71 -1.
David Ryan ( Cahir Park )71 -1.
Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf )71 -1.
6 Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne )73 Par.
Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy )73 Par.
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne )73 Par.
9 Michael Mulryan ( Athenry ) 74 +1.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer )74 +1.
Robert Giles ( Greenore )74 +1.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley )74 +1.
Hugh O'Neill ( Connemara )74 +1.
14Rory Dervin ( Balbriggan )75 +2.
David Hughes ( Massereene )75 +2.
Anthony Hanlon ( Stackstown )75 +2.
Peter Jones ( Coollattin )75 +2.
It has been a good year for McWilliams as he has also finished 2nd on four occasions, and 3rd in both the Ulster and Southern Championships. His fine golf has him in 3rd position on the " Race To Mount Juliet " order of merit, coming towards the end of the season.
Thomas Niland ( Athenry ) finished runner up to McWilliams with a 2 under par round of 71, with Eoin O'Connor ( Kilkenny ) , David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) and Eamon Brady ( Clontarf ) 3rd with 1 under par rounds of 72.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) took in the winning Pro-Am team with a great score of 93 points, beating Chris McVitty's ( Bundoran )team by 1 point.
Ballinrobe Professional Results
-------------------------------
1 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )70 -3.
2 Thomas Niland ( Athenry )71 -2.
3 Eoin O'Connor ( Kilkenny )71 -1.
David Ryan ( Cahir Park )71 -1.
Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf )71 -1.
6 Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne )73 Par.
Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy )73 Par.
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne )73 Par.
9 Michael Mulryan ( Athenry ) 74 +1.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer )74 +1.
Robert Giles ( Greenore )74 +1.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley )74 +1.
Hugh O'Neill ( Connemara )74 +1.
14Rory Dervin ( Balbriggan )75 +2.
David Hughes ( Massereene )75 +2.
Anthony Hanlon ( Stackstown )75 +2.
Peter Jones ( Coollattin )75 +2.
IRELAND WIN THE MENS SENIOR HOME INTERNATIONALS.
The Irish Men's Senior team got revenge over England by beating them by 6 - 3 on the opening day of the Home Internationals at Crail Golf Club in Scotland. England had beaten Ireland in the final of the European Senior Championship only last month.
Maurice Kelly and Adrian Morrow lost the opening foursomes but after that it was all Ireland as they won the following two foursomes and four of the six singles matches for a brilliant victory in near gale force winds.
Day two saw Ireland beat Wales by 6.5 - 2.5 matches, and needed only a draw against the home nation, Scotland, for victory. 3 - 0 up after the foursomes matches, Ireland cruised to their third title in a row with 4.5 wins from 6 in the singles matches.
The top performer for Ireland was Bangor's Gareth McGimpsey who won all three foursomes games with Greenore's Seamus McParland and all three singles games against some tough opposition. Michael Quirke from Doneraile was also unbeaten. He won 5.5 out of a possible 6 points.
Ireland's team captain, Barry Doyle was delighted to bring home the trophy for the 3rd year in a row after wins at Tenby in 2008 and Westport last year.
Irish Senior Team.
-----------------
Maurice Kelly, Kileen.
Adrian Morrow, Portmarnock.
Gareth McGimpsey, Bangor.
Seamus McParland, Greenore.
Tom Cleary, Cork.
Michael Quirke, Doneraile.
Bill Donlon, Birr.
Maurice Kelly and Adrian Morrow lost the opening foursomes but after that it was all Ireland as they won the following two foursomes and four of the six singles matches for a brilliant victory in near gale force winds.
Day two saw Ireland beat Wales by 6.5 - 2.5 matches, and needed only a draw against the home nation, Scotland, for victory. 3 - 0 up after the foursomes matches, Ireland cruised to their third title in a row with 4.5 wins from 6 in the singles matches.
The top performer for Ireland was Bangor's Gareth McGimpsey who won all three foursomes games with Greenore's Seamus McParland and all three singles games against some tough opposition. Michael Quirke from Doneraile was also unbeaten. He won 5.5 out of a possible 6 points.
Ireland's team captain, Barry Doyle was delighted to bring home the trophy for the 3rd year in a row after wins at Tenby in 2008 and Westport last year.
Irish Senior Team.
-----------------
Maurice Kelly, Kileen.
Adrian Morrow, Portmarnock.
Gareth McGimpsey, Bangor.
Seamus McParland, Greenore.
Tom Cleary, Cork.
Michael Quirke, Doneraile.
Bill Donlon, Birr.
Monday 13 September 2010
(40)LETTERKENNY BEAT WARRENPOINT TO WIN THE ULSTER CUP.
Letterkenny won the 2010 Ulster Cup for only the second time in the 97 year history of the competition, beating Warrenpoint who have never won the Ulster Cup before, by a 10 - 4 margin. The Donegal side made their intentions clear when they beat the Co.Down side 6 - 1 at home in the first leg.
A large crowd from Donegal, who made the journey to Warrenpoint for the return match, weren't disappointed. Letterkenny quickly earned their required points and all the remaining games were called off the course to start an early celebration.
Norman Bennett from the GUI presented the cup and pennant to the Letterkenny team captain, Mike Garry. Mike thanked Michael Sands, team captain of the Warrenpoint team for a very sporting game. He also thanked the sponsor Bill Miscampbell, and the competition convenor Sam McBurney.
Before presenting the Ulster Cup to the Letterkenny Club Captain, Brian O'Reilly, Mike thanked all his players and caddies who have travelled all over Ulster, starting with a trip to Moyola Park back in May. They then beat Mahee Island, Portstewart, Rockmount and Silverwood before taking on Warrenpoint in the final.
Letterkenny Club Captain, Brian O'Reilly thanked Mike and the whole squad for all their hard work over the summer. He was delighted to see the Ulster Cup heading back to the club for the first time since 1987. Brian also thanked the Warrenpoint Club Captain, Willie Hanna, for the kind hospitality shown to all the Letterkenny team and supporters.
A large crowd from Donegal, who made the journey to Warrenpoint for the return match, weren't disappointed. Letterkenny quickly earned their required points and all the remaining games were called off the course to start an early celebration.
Norman Bennett from the GUI presented the cup and pennant to the Letterkenny team captain, Mike Garry. Mike thanked Michael Sands, team captain of the Warrenpoint team for a very sporting game. He also thanked the sponsor Bill Miscampbell, and the competition convenor Sam McBurney.
Before presenting the Ulster Cup to the Letterkenny Club Captain, Brian O'Reilly, Mike thanked all his players and caddies who have travelled all over Ulster, starting with a trip to Moyola Park back in May. They then beat Mahee Island, Portstewart, Rockmount and Silverwood before taking on Warrenpoint in the final.
Letterkenny Club Captain, Brian O'Reilly thanked Mike and the whole squad for all their hard work over the summer. He was delighted to see the Ulster Cup heading back to the club for the first time since 1987. Brian also thanked the Warrenpoint Club Captain, Willie Hanna, for the kind hospitality shown to all the Letterkenny team and supporters.
(39)PETER MARTIN WINS HIS 3RD PRO-AM OF THE YEAR.
Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy ) completed his hat trick of Pro-Am wins on the Irish PGA circuit this year when he won the Helen's Bay event with a 4 under par 64. Martin had already won at Dunmurry and Beaverstown back in May and is now inside the top 20 on the " Race to Mount Juliet " order of merit table.
Johnny Foster ( Greenacres ) and Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) were 2nd on 65 ( -3 ).
It was a good three days for Marcus Twitchett ( Hilton Templepatrick ).He won the top Professional prize at Cairndhu and then the following day at Helen's Bay he brought home the winning team score of 94 points with 3 local members. Peter Hanna ( Lurgan ) had the 2nd best team score with 92 points.
Helens Bay Results.
-------------------
1 Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy )64 -4.
2 Johnny Foster ( Greenacres ) 65 -3.
Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )65 -3.
4 Damian Mooney ( Unattached )66 -2.
Richard McCormick ( Unattached )66 -2.
6 John P. Dolan ( Dunfanaghy )67 -1
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer )67 -1.
Eamonn Logue ( Hilton Templepatrick )67 -1.
9 David Hughes ( Massereene )69 +1.
Geoff Loughrey ( Roganstown )69 +1.
Derek McNamara ( Portmarnock )69 +1.
Leo Hynes ( Ballinstoe )69 +1.
13Phillip Collins ( Galgorm Castle )70 +2.
14Kevin Dorrian ( Scrabo Golf Club )71 +3.
Seamus Clinton ( Portsalon )71 +3.
16Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com )72 +4.
Martin McTernan ( Co. Sligo )72 +4.
Paul Stevenson ( Portadown ) 72 +4.
Johnny Foster ( Greenacres ) and Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) were 2nd on 65 ( -3 ).
It was a good three days for Marcus Twitchett ( Hilton Templepatrick ).He won the top Professional prize at Cairndhu and then the following day at Helen's Bay he brought home the winning team score of 94 points with 3 local members. Peter Hanna ( Lurgan ) had the 2nd best team score with 92 points.
Helens Bay Results.
-------------------
1 Peter Martin ( Riverside Golf Academy )64 -4.
2 Johnny Foster ( Greenacres ) 65 -3.
Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )65 -3.
4 Damian Mooney ( Unattached )66 -2.
Richard McCormick ( Unattached )66 -2.
6 John P. Dolan ( Dunfanaghy )67 -1
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer )67 -1.
Eamonn Logue ( Hilton Templepatrick )67 -1.
9 David Hughes ( Massereene )69 +1.
Geoff Loughrey ( Roganstown )69 +1.
Derek McNamara ( Portmarnock )69 +1.
Leo Hynes ( Ballinstoe )69 +1.
13Phillip Collins ( Galgorm Castle )70 +2.
14Kevin Dorrian ( Scrabo Golf Club )71 +3.
Seamus Clinton ( Portsalon )71 +3.
16Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com )72 +4.
Martin McTernan ( Co. Sligo )72 +4.
Paul Stevenson ( Portadown ) 72 +4.
(38)MARCUS TWITCHETT WINS CAIRNDHU PRO-AM.
Hilton Templepatrick Professional, Marcus Twitchett won the 36 hole Cairndhu Pro-Am with two steady rounds of 69 and 68 ( -3 ) to overtake the overnight leaders Robert Giles ( Greenore ), Stephen Hamill ( Lisburn ) and Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ). Giles added a level par 70 to take 2nd place on 138 ( -2 ) while Hamill, 71 shared 3rd place with Gary Chambers ( Killymoon ) on 139 ( -1 ). McDermott took 73 and finished 7th along with Brendan McGovern ( Headfort )on 141 ( +1 ).
Peter McClelland ( Unattached ) walked off with the team prize with a fantastic 36 hole total of 187 points. Robert Giles' team came in 2nd, 8 points behind the winners with 179 points.
Cairndhu Pro-Am Results.
------------------------
1 Marcus Twitchett ( Hilton Templepatrick ) 69 68 -3.
2 Robert Giles ( Greenore ) 68 70 -2.
3 Stephen Hamill ( Lisburn ) 68 71 -1.
Gary Chambers ( Killymoon ) 69 70 -1.
5 Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 69 71 Par.
Thomas McIntyre ( Ballyclare ) 70 70 Par.
7 Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 71 70 +1.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 68 73 +1.
9 Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy ) 70 72 +2.
Seamus Clinton ( Portsalon ) 73 69 +2.
11Richard Whitford ( Knock )70 73 +3.
Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) 72 71 +3.
Jerry Scullion ( Royal County Down ) 70 73 +3.
Eoin O'Connor ( Kilkenny )73 70 +3.
Peter McClelland ( Unattached ) walked off with the team prize with a fantastic 36 hole total of 187 points. Robert Giles' team came in 2nd, 8 points behind the winners with 179 points.
Cairndhu Pro-Am Results.
------------------------
1 Marcus Twitchett ( Hilton Templepatrick ) 69 68 -3.
2 Robert Giles ( Greenore ) 68 70 -2.
3 Stephen Hamill ( Lisburn ) 68 71 -1.
Gary Chambers ( Killymoon ) 69 70 -1.
5 Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 69 71 Par.
Thomas McIntyre ( Ballyclare ) 70 70 Par.
7 Brendan McGovern ( Headfort ) 71 70 +1.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer ) 68 73 +1.
9 Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy ) 70 72 +2.
Seamus Clinton ( Portsalon ) 73 69 +2.
11Richard Whitford ( Knock )70 73 +3.
Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) 72 71 +3.
Jerry Scullion ( Royal County Down ) 70 73 +3.
Eoin O'Connor ( Kilkenny )73 70 +3.
(38)MARTIN KAYMER WINS ON HIS RETURN FROM USPGA.
Martin Kaymer made a winning return in his first outing since he won the USPGA Championship. He cruised to victory at the KLM Dutch Open with a marvellous display of precision golf.
Kaymer hit rounds of 67,67,66,66 for a 14 under par total that was good enough to win by 4 strokes from Fabrizio Zanotti and Christian Nilsson.
The win takes Kaymer almost €500,000 ahead of Graeme McDowell on the "Race to Dubai" table with earnings of €2,554,400 this year.
It was a different story for the two runner-ups. Nilsson was 144th in the order of merit while Zanotti was 111th. With only the top 115 guaranteed to keep their place on tour next year they were under pressure to perform. They both birdied the 18th to share 2nd and collect a cheque for €156,340 each.The pair can now relax as Zanotti is now 74th and Nilsson is up to 88th.
Darren Clarke returned another fine performance with a 17th place finish after rounds of 68,71,67,68 ( -6 ). Damien McGrane was 26th on -4 after scores of 68,67,72 and 69.
The other Irish results were:
34th Peter Lawrie 69,68,69,71 ( -3 )
50th Shane Lowry 71,69,69,70 ( -1 )
57th Michael Hoey 72,67,66,75.Gareth Maybin 72,67,72,69. Simon Thornton 69,71,70,70 ( Par )
Missed Cut, Par 140.
Paul McGinley 71,73 ( +4 )
Gary Murphy 71,73 ( +4 )
Kaymer hit rounds of 67,67,66,66 for a 14 under par total that was good enough to win by 4 strokes from Fabrizio Zanotti and Christian Nilsson.
The win takes Kaymer almost €500,000 ahead of Graeme McDowell on the "Race to Dubai" table with earnings of €2,554,400 this year.
It was a different story for the two runner-ups. Nilsson was 144th in the order of merit while Zanotti was 111th. With only the top 115 guaranteed to keep their place on tour next year they were under pressure to perform. They both birdied the 18th to share 2nd and collect a cheque for €156,340 each.The pair can now relax as Zanotti is now 74th and Nilsson is up to 88th.
Darren Clarke returned another fine performance with a 17th place finish after rounds of 68,71,67,68 ( -6 ). Damien McGrane was 26th on -4 after scores of 68,67,72 and 69.
The other Irish results were:
34th Peter Lawrie 69,68,69,71 ( -3 )
50th Shane Lowry 71,69,69,70 ( -1 )
57th Michael Hoey 72,67,66,75.Gareth Maybin 72,67,72,69. Simon Thornton 69,71,70,70 ( Par )
Missed Cut, Par 140.
Paul McGinley 71,73 ( +4 )
Gary Murphy 71,73 ( +4 )
Saturday 11 September 2010
(37)SCOTLAND WIN THE WOMEN'S HOME INTERNATIONALS.
Scotland won the Women's Home Internationals for the first time since 1991 when they defeated Ireland by a slender 5 - 4 margin at Whitchurch Golf Club in Cardiff, Wales.
Ireland only needed a draw against Scotland after two very convincing wins over England 8-1 and defending champions Wales by 6-3. Scotland beat the champions Wales by 6.5 - 2.5 but struggled to beat England by 5-4 leaving Ireland at the top of the table on points going into the final.
The Maguire twins were the only winners in the foursomes beating Pamela Pretswell & Jane Turner on the final green to leave Scotland with a 2 - 1 advantage heading into the singles.
Irish champion Mary Dowling went down on the final green to Kelsey MacDonald in the top match. Danielle Mc Veigh had her 3rd singles win of the week when she beat Jane Turner on the 13th green. Lisa Maguire made it 6 wins from 6 when she defeated Rachel Watton by 1 hole. Charlene Reid was also undefeated in the singles when she beat Megan Briggs on the 17th. Sinead o Sullivan went down on the 16th to Louise Kenney to leave the sides level at 4 points each, with only one game left on the course.
Leona Maguire was up against her Curtis Cup team mate, Pamela Pretswell. After a great battle the game was square playing the 18th and looked like Ireland could get the half point required for victory, with Leona safely in with a par. Pamela had other ideas and calmly rolled in a 15 foot birdie putt to spoil the Irish party by a single point.
(1ST)SCOTLAND 3 POINTS,(2ND)IRELAND 2 POINTS,(3RD)WALES 1/2 POINT,(4TH)ENGLAND 1/2 POINT.
IRELAND TEAM
------------
Louise Coffey ( Malone )
Mary Dowling ( New Ross )
Leona Maguire ( Slieve Russell )
Lisa Maguire ( Slieve Russell )
Danielle McVeigh ( Royal Co. Down Ladies )
Gillian O'Leary ( Cork )
Sinead O'Sullivan ( Galway )
Charlene Reid ( Royal Portrush )
Captain: Claire Robinson.
Ireland only needed a draw against Scotland after two very convincing wins over England 8-1 and defending champions Wales by 6-3. Scotland beat the champions Wales by 6.5 - 2.5 but struggled to beat England by 5-4 leaving Ireland at the top of the table on points going into the final.
The Maguire twins were the only winners in the foursomes beating Pamela Pretswell & Jane Turner on the final green to leave Scotland with a 2 - 1 advantage heading into the singles.
Irish champion Mary Dowling went down on the final green to Kelsey MacDonald in the top match. Danielle Mc Veigh had her 3rd singles win of the week when she beat Jane Turner on the 13th green. Lisa Maguire made it 6 wins from 6 when she defeated Rachel Watton by 1 hole. Charlene Reid was also undefeated in the singles when she beat Megan Briggs on the 17th. Sinead o Sullivan went down on the 16th to Louise Kenney to leave the sides level at 4 points each, with only one game left on the course.
Leona Maguire was up against her Curtis Cup team mate, Pamela Pretswell. After a great battle the game was square playing the 18th and looked like Ireland could get the half point required for victory, with Leona safely in with a par. Pamela had other ideas and calmly rolled in a 15 foot birdie putt to spoil the Irish party by a single point.
(1ST)SCOTLAND 3 POINTS,(2ND)IRELAND 2 POINTS,(3RD)WALES 1/2 POINT,(4TH)ENGLAND 1/2 POINT.
IRELAND TEAM
------------
Louise Coffey ( Malone )
Mary Dowling ( New Ross )
Leona Maguire ( Slieve Russell )
Lisa Maguire ( Slieve Russell )
Danielle McVeigh ( Royal Co. Down Ladies )
Gillian O'Leary ( Cork )
Sinead O'Sullivan ( Galway )
Charlene Reid ( Royal Portrush )
Captain: Claire Robinson.
(36)PAUL MADDY WINS EUROPRO EVENT AFTER EXCITING FINISH AT FIVE LAKES.
Paul Maddy ( Gog Magog ) clinched victory in one of the most exciting finishes of the season on the Europro Tour as he finished one shot ahead of 7 players in the Brooks Bros 2010 Classic at Five Lakes Golf Club in Essex.
Maddy had 68s in the first two rounds and found himself 4 shots behind the overnight leaders, Paul O Hanlon( Curragh ) and Graeme Clark( Doncaster ). While the leaders were struggling to make birdies, Maddy was creaping up the leaderboard with 5 birdies to post the clubhouse lead on 203 ( -13 ) after a closing 67.
A total of 7 players got to within a shot of Maddy, but after an hour's wait he was crowned the champion. The 7 players tied 2nd were Lloyd Saltman ( 66 ), Steven Capper( 67 ) ( Caldy GC ), Nick McCarthy( 69 )( Moortown ), Mark Coppell( 70 )( Woodcote Park ), Graeme Clark( 72 )( Doncaster GC ),Paul O’Hanlon( 72 )( Curragh )and James Hepworth( 70 )( Ilkley ).
There were 18 Irish in action with 9 making the 2 under par cut mark. Paul O Hanlon was the best of those in joint 2nd place on ( -12 ) after rounds of 66,66 and 72. Tim Rice from Limerick made a great recovery after an opening 76. He then hit an 8 under par 64 and followed up with a 67 to share 13th place on -9.
Noel Fox 68,71,70 and Barrie Trainor 72,64,73 were 19th on 7 under par. The consistant Brian Mc Elhinney 72,69,70 was 30th on 5 under par. Gareth Shaw scored 72,70 and 71 for a share of 39th place on 3 under par. Neil O Briain shared 49th on -1 after rounds of 71,71,73 and Mark Staunton 70,70,76 and Michael Collins 72,67,77 were 53rd on level par.
Michael Mc Geady 70,73 and Jonathan Mallon 74,69 missed the -2 cut mark by 1 shot. Brendan Mc Carroll and Ross Oliver missed out on level par 144. Other Irish to miss out were Cian Curley, Michael Lavelle, David Rawluk, Ger Hall and Michael Kelly.
Maddy had 68s in the first two rounds and found himself 4 shots behind the overnight leaders, Paul O Hanlon( Curragh ) and Graeme Clark( Doncaster ). While the leaders were struggling to make birdies, Maddy was creaping up the leaderboard with 5 birdies to post the clubhouse lead on 203 ( -13 ) after a closing 67.
A total of 7 players got to within a shot of Maddy, but after an hour's wait he was crowned the champion. The 7 players tied 2nd were Lloyd Saltman ( 66 ), Steven Capper( 67 ) ( Caldy GC ), Nick McCarthy( 69 )( Moortown ), Mark Coppell( 70 )( Woodcote Park ), Graeme Clark( 72 )( Doncaster GC ),Paul O’Hanlon( 72 )( Curragh )and James Hepworth( 70 )( Ilkley ).
There were 18 Irish in action with 9 making the 2 under par cut mark. Paul O Hanlon was the best of those in joint 2nd place on ( -12 ) after rounds of 66,66 and 72. Tim Rice from Limerick made a great recovery after an opening 76. He then hit an 8 under par 64 and followed up with a 67 to share 13th place on -9.
Noel Fox 68,71,70 and Barrie Trainor 72,64,73 were 19th on 7 under par. The consistant Brian Mc Elhinney 72,69,70 was 30th on 5 under par. Gareth Shaw scored 72,70 and 71 for a share of 39th place on 3 under par. Neil O Briain shared 49th on -1 after rounds of 71,71,73 and Mark Staunton 70,70,76 and Michael Collins 72,67,77 were 53rd on level par.
Michael Mc Geady 70,73 and Jonathan Mallon 74,69 missed the -2 cut mark by 1 shot. Brendan Mc Carroll and Ross Oliver missed out on level par 144. Other Irish to miss out were Cian Curley, Michael Lavelle, David Rawluk, Ger Hall and Michael Kelly.
Monday 6 September 2010
(35)BRILLIANT VICTORY FOR DES SMYTH AT WOBURN.
57 year old Des Smyth, came from three shots behind Carl Mason to win the Travis Perkins Senior Masters' Championship at Woburn Golf Club.
In winning, Des has now won in each of the last five decades. His first win came in 1979 when he beat Nick Price on the final green at Fulford, York to win the Sun Alliance matchplay title.
In 2001 aged 46, he became the oldest winner on the European Tour when he won the Madeira Masters' Open, and still holds that record.
During the final round Smyth was playing catch up against Carl Mason who was heading for the record books, looking for his 24th Seniors win. Mason had a 3 shot lead going into the back nine. The turn around came at the 14th when Mason 4 putted while Smyth birdied. With his nose now in front, Des managed to birdie the final hole for a stunning 3 shot winning margin on 10 under par and a cheque for €47,853.
Gary Wolstenholme, playing in his first Seniors event claimed a share of 3rd place with Adan Sowa from Argentina. Wolstenholme scored 68,72,70 to win his biggest cheque as a Professional of €19,181. He won £10,000 two months ago for winning a Europro event, proving his decision to turn Professional at the age of 48 was the right move.
Jimmy Heggarty was 28th on 4 over par, Denis O Sullivan was 42nd on 8 over par, Eamon Darcy was 59th on +12 and Eddie Polland was 74th on +19.
In winning, Des has now won in each of the last five decades. His first win came in 1979 when he beat Nick Price on the final green at Fulford, York to win the Sun Alliance matchplay title.
In 2001 aged 46, he became the oldest winner on the European Tour when he won the Madeira Masters' Open, and still holds that record.
During the final round Smyth was playing catch up against Carl Mason who was heading for the record books, looking for his 24th Seniors win. Mason had a 3 shot lead going into the back nine. The turn around came at the 14th when Mason 4 putted while Smyth birdied. With his nose now in front, Des managed to birdie the final hole for a stunning 3 shot winning margin on 10 under par and a cheque for €47,853.
Gary Wolstenholme, playing in his first Seniors event claimed a share of 3rd place with Adan Sowa from Argentina. Wolstenholme scored 68,72,70 to win his biggest cheque as a Professional of €19,181. He won £10,000 two months ago for winning a Europro event, proving his decision to turn Professional at the age of 48 was the right move.
Jimmy Heggarty was 28th on 4 over par, Denis O Sullivan was 42nd on 8 over par, Eamon Darcy was 59th on +12 and Eddie Polland was 74th on +19.
(34)JODY CLARKE WINS KILKEEL JUNIOR SCRATCH CUP.
Jody Clarke won his first Major prize in golf when he won the Kilkeel Junior Scratch Cup with a great score of one under par 71.
Jody got to 3 under par after 10 holes. He lost shots at the 14th, 16th and 18th but threw in a birdie at the difficult 17th for a comfortable 3 shot win from another Kilkeel member, Stanley Weir, who scored 74.
Jody got to 3 under par after 10 holes. He lost shots at the 14th, 16th and 18th but threw in a birdie at the difficult 17th for a comfortable 3 shot win from another Kilkeel member, Stanley Weir, who scored 74.
Sunday 5 September 2010
(33)46 YEAR OLD JIMENEZ WINS 3RD CHAMPIONSHIP THIS YEAR.
46 year old Spaniard, Miguel Angel Jimenez survived a late scare from Edoardo Molinari to take the Omega European Masters in Switzerland.
Jimenez was six shots clear with seven to play, but saw his lead slashed to one by Ryder Cup team-mate Edoardo Molinari four holes later. Jiménez got up and down from a fairway bunker for a critical par at the 16th and followed it up with a birdie on the next to increase his lead to three.
Jiménez, making his 22nd successive trip to Crans-sur-Sierre, finally got his hands on the trophy with a four under par 67 and 21 under total of 263 to win by 3 shots. This was his 3rd win this season after victories in Dubai and France.
The €333,330 prize lifts Jiménez into 8th place on the Race to Dubai table with earnings of €1,661,661.
There were also celebrations for 17 year old Italian Matteo Monassero. In only his 6th start as a Professional he finished 3rd on 16 under par and won a cheque for €125,200. He has now earned himself €255,383 to secure a full card for the European Tour for 2011 and in a position to take up any invites for the rest of this year.
Peter Lawrie started with a 72 but improved with scores of 69,63 and 69 for a share of 9th place on -11. Darren Clarke was steady for a share of 15th on -9 after hitting scores of 67,70,68,70.
Gareth Maybin played his first tournament for a month. He claimed a share of 30th place on 6 under par with scores of 69,71,68 and 70. Michael Hoey slipped up in the 3rd round taking 77. His other three rounds were 71,69,67 to give him a share of 54th on level par 284.
The 36 hole cut came at 1 under par 141. Paul Mc Ginley had two rounds of 72 to miss out by 3 shots, while Shane Lowry opened with a 74 and followed up with a 72 to miss out by 5 shots.
Jimenez was six shots clear with seven to play, but saw his lead slashed to one by Ryder Cup team-mate Edoardo Molinari four holes later. Jiménez got up and down from a fairway bunker for a critical par at the 16th and followed it up with a birdie on the next to increase his lead to three.
Jiménez, making his 22nd successive trip to Crans-sur-Sierre, finally got his hands on the trophy with a four under par 67 and 21 under total of 263 to win by 3 shots. This was his 3rd win this season after victories in Dubai and France.
The €333,330 prize lifts Jiménez into 8th place on the Race to Dubai table with earnings of €1,661,661.
There were also celebrations for 17 year old Italian Matteo Monassero. In only his 6th start as a Professional he finished 3rd on 16 under par and won a cheque for €125,200. He has now earned himself €255,383 to secure a full card for the European Tour for 2011 and in a position to take up any invites for the rest of this year.
Peter Lawrie started with a 72 but improved with scores of 69,63 and 69 for a share of 9th place on -11. Darren Clarke was steady for a share of 15th on -9 after hitting scores of 67,70,68,70.
Gareth Maybin played his first tournament for a month. He claimed a share of 30th place on 6 under par with scores of 69,71,68 and 70. Michael Hoey slipped up in the 3rd round taking 77. His other three rounds were 71,69,67 to give him a share of 54th on level par 284.
The 36 hole cut came at 1 under par 141. Paul Mc Ginley had two rounds of 72 to miss out by 3 shots, while Shane Lowry opened with a 74 and followed up with a 72 to miss out by 5 shots.
(32)GARRY CULLEN WINS FORREST LITTLE PRO-AM.
Garry Cullen, the head Professional at Beaverstown golf club, played superb golf around the Forrest Little golf course to win their Pro-Am with a 7 under par round of 64. Cullen had 2 shots to spare over European player Simon Thornton and former Irish PGA Champion, David Mortimer.
In the team event Mortimer got revenge over Cullen when he brought home the winning team with 94 points against Cullen's team who had 93 points.
1 Garry Cullen ( Beaverstown ) 64 -7.
2 David Mortimer ( foreireland )66 -5.
Simon Thornton ( Team Ireland Golf )66 -5.
4 Damien Mc Grane ( Unattached )68 -3
5 John Kelly ( St.Margaret's )69 -2.
Mark O'Mahony ( McGuirks Golf )69 -2.
Damian Mooney ( Unattached )69 -2.
8 Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf )70 -1.
Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com )70 -1.
Gary Murphy ( Doonbeg ) 70 -1.
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne )70 -1.
12 Robert Giles ( Greenore )71 Par.
Donal Gleeson ( Old Conna )71 Par.
David Hughes ( Massereene )71 Par.
David Higgins ( Waterville )71 Par.
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com )71 Par.
In the team event Mortimer got revenge over Cullen when he brought home the winning team with 94 points against Cullen's team who had 93 points.
1 Garry Cullen ( Beaverstown ) 64 -7.
2 David Mortimer ( foreireland )66 -5.
Simon Thornton ( Team Ireland Golf )66 -5.
4 Damien Mc Grane ( Unattached )68 -3
5 John Kelly ( St.Margaret's )69 -2.
Mark O'Mahony ( McGuirks Golf )69 -2.
Damian Mooney ( Unattached )69 -2.
8 Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf )70 -1.
Ted Higgins ( foreireland.com )70 -1.
Gary Murphy ( Doonbeg ) 70 -1.
John Dwyer ( Ashbourne )70 -1.
12 Robert Giles ( Greenore )71 Par.
Donal Gleeson ( Old Conna )71 Par.
David Hughes ( Massereene )71 Par.
David Higgins ( Waterville )71 Par.
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com )71 Par.
(31)DAMIEN MC GRANE WINS NAAS PRO-AM.
Damien Mc Grane played in the Irish PGA Naas Pro-Am during a week off from the European Tour. He showed his class by hitting a record score of 9 under par 62.
Mc Grane who is currently 48th on the Race to Dubai table with €439,258 was the clear winner by 4 shots from current Irish PGA race to Mount Juliet leader David Higgins and also Mark Staunton, Mark O Sullivan and Simon Thornton who all shot 66.
Past Irish Close amateur champion Mark O Sullivan, now an assistant at Ashbourne Golf Club, brought in the winning team with 92 points, beating Mark Staunton and Philip Walton's teams by a single point.
1 Damien Mc Grane ( Unattached ) 62 -9.
2 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 66 -5.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 66 -5.
Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne ) 66 -5.
Simon Thornton ( Team Ireland Golf )66 -5.
6 Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 68 -3.
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny )68 -3.
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf )68 -3.
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com )68 -3.
10Gary Murphy ( Doonbeg ) 69 -2.
David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 69 -2.
Eddie Doyle ( Heritage )69 -2.
13Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )70 -1.
David Mortimer ( foreireland.com )70 -1.
Mc Grane who is currently 48th on the Race to Dubai table with €439,258 was the clear winner by 4 shots from current Irish PGA race to Mount Juliet leader David Higgins and also Mark Staunton, Mark O Sullivan and Simon Thornton who all shot 66.
Past Irish Close amateur champion Mark O Sullivan, now an assistant at Ashbourne Golf Club, brought in the winning team with 92 points, beating Mark Staunton and Philip Walton's teams by a single point.
1 Damien Mc Grane ( Unattached ) 62 -9.
2 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 66 -5.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 66 -5.
Mark O'Sullivan ( Ashbourne ) 66 -5.
Simon Thornton ( Team Ireland Golf )66 -5.
6 Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 68 -3.
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny )68 -3.
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf )68 -3.
Philip Walton ( foreireland.com )68 -3.
10Gary Murphy ( Doonbeg ) 69 -2.
David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 69 -2.
Eddie Doyle ( Heritage )69 -2.
13Darren McWilliams ( Unattached )70 -1.
David Mortimer ( foreireland.com )70 -1.
Friday 3 September 2010
(30)SIMON THORNTON WINS AT CONCRA WOOD.
European Tour player, Simon Thornton from Newcastle took a week off tour and won the 6th and final one day Irish PGA Sprint tournament at the magnificent Concra Wood Golf Club in Castleblaney, Monaghan.
Playing in the last group, Thornton got the perfect start with birdies at the first three holes. He got to 5 under after 15 holes before he made his first mistake. A dropped shot at the 16th was followed up with a birdie at the 17th, only for Thornton to make another bogey at the last.
His 68 which is the new course record was good enough to beat the in form Michael Collins from Cork by one shot. After recent wins at Adare Manor and Greenore, Collins was looking good for the hat trick as he was clubhouse leader on 69 until Thornton came through in the final group to pip him by one shot.
CONCRA WOOD ONE DAY IRISH PGA SPRINT.
1 Simon Thornton ( Team Ireland Golf ) 68 -4.
2 Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 69 -3.
3 John Kelly ( St.Margaret's ) 70 -2.
Brian McElhinney ( Team Ireland ) 70 -2.
Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) 70 -2.
Michael Mulryan ( Athenry ) 70 -2.
Kevin McGrath ( Birr ) 70 -2.
8 Peter Jones ( Coollattin ) 71 -1.
9 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 72 Par.
Liam Bowler ( Wexford ) 72 Par.
Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy )72 Par.
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf )72 Par.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 72 Par.
Patrick Geraghty ( Unattached )72 Par.
15 Leslie Walker ( Dundalk )73 +1.
Seamus Clinton ( Portsalon )73 +1.
Michael Allan ( Leopardstown )73 +1.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer )73 +1.
David Mortimer ( foreireland.com )73 +1.
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny )73 +1.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com )73 +1.
Playing in the last group, Thornton got the perfect start with birdies at the first three holes. He got to 5 under after 15 holes before he made his first mistake. A dropped shot at the 16th was followed up with a birdie at the 17th, only for Thornton to make another bogey at the last.
His 68 which is the new course record was good enough to beat the in form Michael Collins from Cork by one shot. After recent wins at Adare Manor and Greenore, Collins was looking good for the hat trick as he was clubhouse leader on 69 until Thornton came through in the final group to pip him by one shot.
CONCRA WOOD ONE DAY IRISH PGA SPRINT.
1 Simon Thornton ( Team Ireland Golf ) 68 -4.
2 Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 69 -3.
3 John Kelly ( St.Margaret's ) 70 -2.
Brian McElhinney ( Team Ireland ) 70 -2.
Connor Mallon ( Narin & Portnoo ) 70 -2.
Michael Mulryan ( Athenry ) 70 -2.
Kevin McGrath ( Birr ) 70 -2.
8 Peter Jones ( Coollattin ) 71 -1.
9 David Higgins ( Waterville ) 72 Par.
Liam Bowler ( Wexford ) 72 Par.
Kenny Fahey ( GUI National Academy )72 Par.
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland Golf )72 Par.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 72 Par.
Patrick Geraghty ( Unattached )72 Par.
15 Leslie Walker ( Dundalk )73 +1.
Seamus Clinton ( Portsalon )73 +1.
Michael Allan ( Leopardstown )73 +1.
Brendan McDermott ( Castlecomer )73 +1.
David Mortimer ( foreireland.com )73 +1.
Jimmy Bolger ( Kilkenny )73 +1.
Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com )73 +1.
(29)EAMON DARCY WINS SOUTHERN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP.
Former Ryder Cup star, Eamonn Darcy turned back the clock to win the PGA Southern Championship at Powerscourt with a sizzling performance that left the rest of the Professionals well behind.
It is 10 years since Darcy won the Southern Championship, but he made his intentions clear that he meant business this year with an opening 6 under par 66 around the East course at Powerscourt. He followed up with a 3 under par 69 on the West course the following day for a 36 hole total of 9 under par 135.
Darcy's 9 under total gave him a three shot lead at the top of the leaderboard over David Higgins. Higgins stormed back with a second round of 66 to grab 2nd place on 6 under par after opening with a level par round of 72. This finish increases Higgins' lead at the top of the race to Mount Juliet rankings.
Darren Mc Williams played steady golf, hitting rounds of 72,70 to clinch 3rd place on his own on 2 under par 142. The only other players to finish under par were Garry Cullen, Michael Collins and Patrick Geraghty to share 4th place.
1 Eamonn Darcy ( Le Salle ) 66 69 135 -9.
2 David Higgins ( Waterville )72 66 138 -6.
3 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 72 70 142 -2.
4 Garry Cullen ( Beaverstown ) 74 69 143 -1.
Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 71 72 143 -1.
Patrick Geraghty ( Unattached ) 70 73 143 -1.
7 Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 76 68 144 Par.
Mervyn Owens ( Mallow ) 72 72 144 Par.
Paul Thompson ( Powerscourt ) 71 73 144 Par.
David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 70 74 144 Par.
11Martin McTernan ( Co. Sligo )74 71 145 +1.
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland ) 73 72 145 +1.
Cian McNamara ( Limerick ) 73 72 145 +1.
Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy ) 68 77 145 +1.
15Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf ) 73 73 146 +2.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 73 73 146 +2.
17David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 77 70 147 +3.
Brian McElhinney ( Team Ireland ) 78 69 147 +3.
Gerry Burke ( Curragh ) 75 72 147 +3.
Peter Jones ( Coollattin ) 74 73 147 +3.
21Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 72 76 148 +4.
Graeme Dunlea ( Adare Manor ) 72 76 148 +4.
It is 10 years since Darcy won the Southern Championship, but he made his intentions clear that he meant business this year with an opening 6 under par 66 around the East course at Powerscourt. He followed up with a 3 under par 69 on the West course the following day for a 36 hole total of 9 under par 135.
Darcy's 9 under total gave him a three shot lead at the top of the leaderboard over David Higgins. Higgins stormed back with a second round of 66 to grab 2nd place on 6 under par after opening with a level par round of 72. This finish increases Higgins' lead at the top of the race to Mount Juliet rankings.
Darren Mc Williams played steady golf, hitting rounds of 72,70 to clinch 3rd place on his own on 2 under par 142. The only other players to finish under par were Garry Cullen, Michael Collins and Patrick Geraghty to share 4th place.
1 Eamonn Darcy ( Le Salle ) 66 69 135 -9.
2 David Higgins ( Waterville )72 66 138 -6.
3 Darren McWilliams ( Unattached ) 72 70 142 -2.
4 Garry Cullen ( Beaverstown ) 74 69 143 -1.
Michael Collins ( foreireland.com ) 71 72 143 -1.
Patrick Geraghty ( Unattached ) 70 73 143 -1.
7 Mark Staunton ( foreireland.com ) 76 68 144 Par.
Mervyn Owens ( Mallow ) 72 72 144 Par.
Paul Thompson ( Powerscourt ) 71 73 144 Par.
David Mortimer ( foreireland.com ) 70 74 144 Par.
11Martin McTernan ( Co. Sligo )74 71 145 +1.
Barrie Trainor ( Team Ireland ) 73 72 145 +1.
Cian McNamara ( Limerick ) 73 72 145 +1.
Neil Manchip ( GUI National Academy ) 68 77 145 +1.
15Eamonn Brady ( Clontarf ) 73 73 146 +2.
John Dignam ( Slade Valley ) 73 73 146 +2.
17David Ryan ( Cahir Park ) 77 70 147 +3.
Brian McElhinney ( Team Ireland ) 78 69 147 +3.
Gerry Burke ( Curragh ) 75 72 147 +3.
Peter Jones ( Coollattin ) 74 73 147 +3.
21Philip Walton ( foreireland.com ) 72 76 148 +4.
Graeme Dunlea ( Adare Manor ) 72 76 148 +4.
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