(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.