While all the top golfers were in America for the US Open,it opened the door for lesser known players to accept an invite to the Saint-Omer Open in France.Martin Wiegele from Austria who was plying his trade on the Challenge tour and who won his National title two weeks ago was hoping to join the main tour next year as one of 20 graduates.
All that has now changed.The Austrian,shot a three under par 68 to finish with a seven under par total 277.Not only did he win €100,000 but he now has an exemption on the main tour until the end of 2011.
Wiegele finished two better than a group of five players tied for second - Sweden's Pelle Edberg, France's Raphaël Jacquelin and the English trio of Matt Haines, Robert Dinwiddie and Jamie Elson all finishing five under.
Athlone's Colm Moriarty who has been struggling on the Challenge tour this year,was joint first round leader with the winner as they both opened with 66s.He followed up with 73,73,and 72 to finish in a share of 11th place on level par 284.
The only other Irishman in action was Gary Murphy.He missed the +3 cut mark by 3 shots after scores of 75,73.
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Monday, 21 June 2010
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Craig Lee hits a 61 for victory in Bovey Masters.
CRAIG Lee has stormed to victory in the latest PGA EuroPro Tour event – The Dunlop Masters.
Scotsman Lee, 33, claimed the £10,000 winner’s prize at Bovey Castle in Devon as he finished six shots ahead of England’s Steve Uzzell (Hornsea GC). Lee trailed by three shots after the first round of 70 on Wednesday before a score of seven-under 63 on Thursday gave him a share of the lead going into the last day.
But he sprinted towards glory on Friday with a breathtaking performance that included birdies on seven of the first 11 holes and an eagle on the par-five 12th for a 9 under par score of 61. This victory for Lee (Aspire Golf Club) moves him into 2nd place on the order of merit behind Daniel Guant.
It was a busy week at home fot the Irish Professionals with the Quinn Insurance Pro Am at Slieve Russell so only 6 made the journey to Devon.
The best of those was Tim Rice who returned scores of 72,68,72 for a share of 25th place on 2 over par.David Rawluk had a final round of 73 to add to his 70 and 72 to finish well down in 38th place on 5 over par.
With the 36 hole cut coming at +5,Brendan Mc Carroll missed out by only one shot on +6,Michael Lavelle was one worse on +7.Noel Fox was 4 shots too many on +9 while Monkstowns Ronan Collins had a nightmare and finished 31 over par for 36 holes.
Irish Results
----------------
25th:Tim Rice 72,68,72 212 +2 £345.
38th:David Rawluk 70,72,73 215 +5 £255.
Missed +5 cut.
Brendan Mc Carroll +6.
Michael Lavelle +7.
Noel Fox +9.
Ronan Collins +31.
Scotsman Lee, 33, claimed the £10,000 winner’s prize at Bovey Castle in Devon as he finished six shots ahead of England’s Steve Uzzell (Hornsea GC). Lee trailed by three shots after the first round of 70 on Wednesday before a score of seven-under 63 on Thursday gave him a share of the lead going into the last day.
But he sprinted towards glory on Friday with a breathtaking performance that included birdies on seven of the first 11 holes and an eagle on the par-five 12th for a 9 under par score of 61. This victory for Lee (Aspire Golf Club) moves him into 2nd place on the order of merit behind Daniel Guant.
It was a busy week at home fot the Irish Professionals with the Quinn Insurance Pro Am at Slieve Russell so only 6 made the journey to Devon.
The best of those was Tim Rice who returned scores of 72,68,72 for a share of 25th place on 2 over par.David Rawluk had a final round of 73 to add to his 70 and 72 to finish well down in 38th place on 5 over par.
With the 36 hole cut coming at +5,Brendan Mc Carroll missed out by only one shot on +6,Michael Lavelle was one worse on +7.Noel Fox was 4 shots too many on +9 while Monkstowns Ronan Collins had a nightmare and finished 31 over par for 36 holes.
Irish Results
----------------
25th:Tim Rice 72,68,72 212 +2 £345.
38th:David Rawluk 70,72,73 215 +5 £255.
Missed +5 cut.
Brendan Mc Carroll +6.
Michael Lavelle +7.
Noel Fox +9.
Ronan Collins +31.
Sunday, 13 June 2010
First win in 4 years for the Great Dane in Portugal.
Thomas Björn returned to winning ways in fine style with a comprehensive five shot victory at the Estoril Open de Portugal.
The Dane saw off a fine challenge from Richard Green with a closing 68 for a 23 under par aggregate total of 265.
Australian left-hander Green had nibbled away at the two-time Ryder Cup winner's lead and had reduced it to one shot until the former Dubai Desert Classic winner Green bogeyed the par four 14th as his playing partner birdied and when Björn's tee shot went within five feet at the par three next Green could only respond by hitting his into a bunker and dropping another shot.
That saw Björn,pull five clear and although he bogeyed the 16th he managed to avoid a nervous finish.
It caps an incredible return to form over the last ten days - when he arrived at The Celtic Manor Wales Open last week Björn had missed six successive cuts on The European Tour and was outside the top 200 on The Official World Golf Ranking.
A top ten finish in Newport gave him the confidence to book an Open Championship spot at Sunningdale on Monday and he adds a winner's cheque for €166,660 with his success at Penha Longa Golf club, climbing into the top 40 on The Race to Dubai as a result.
Damien Mc Grane who has been struggling most of this season got himself into 3rd position on 18 under par after 13 holes.The former China Open champion ran into all sorts of trouble over the closing holes dropping 5 shots in 5 holes to drop into 5th place on 13 under par.
On the other hand it was the opposite for Darren Clarke.He looked to be going home after an opening 75.He completely turned his game around and after scores of 67,68 and the lowest score of the closing round 66,he jumped into a share of 6th place on 12 under par.
It was also a good week for Gary Murphy.Murphy had only made 2 cuts all year and his confidence was very low.Even though he slipped up over the weekend with a 73 and 72to finish on 3 under par he was happy with his 43rd place and can now look forward to the next tournament.
Newcastle resident Simon Thornton was unlucky to miss the one under par cut mark by one shot after rounds of 73 and 71.
Irish Results
-----------------
5th: Damien Mc Grane -13 €42,400.
6th: Darren Clarke -12 €32,500.
43rd:Gary Murphy -3 €5,200.
Missed Cut -1 143.
Simon Thornton Par 144.
The Dane saw off a fine challenge from Richard Green with a closing 68 for a 23 under par aggregate total of 265.
Australian left-hander Green had nibbled away at the two-time Ryder Cup winner's lead and had reduced it to one shot until the former Dubai Desert Classic winner Green bogeyed the par four 14th as his playing partner birdied and when Björn's tee shot went within five feet at the par three next Green could only respond by hitting his into a bunker and dropping another shot.
That saw Björn,pull five clear and although he bogeyed the 16th he managed to avoid a nervous finish.
It caps an incredible return to form over the last ten days - when he arrived at The Celtic Manor Wales Open last week Björn had missed six successive cuts on The European Tour and was outside the top 200 on The Official World Golf Ranking.
A top ten finish in Newport gave him the confidence to book an Open Championship spot at Sunningdale on Monday and he adds a winner's cheque for €166,660 with his success at Penha Longa Golf club, climbing into the top 40 on The Race to Dubai as a result.
Damien Mc Grane who has been struggling most of this season got himself into 3rd position on 18 under par after 13 holes.The former China Open champion ran into all sorts of trouble over the closing holes dropping 5 shots in 5 holes to drop into 5th place on 13 under par.
On the other hand it was the opposite for Darren Clarke.He looked to be going home after an opening 75.He completely turned his game around and after scores of 67,68 and the lowest score of the closing round 66,he jumped into a share of 6th place on 12 under par.
It was also a good week for Gary Murphy.Murphy had only made 2 cuts all year and his confidence was very low.Even though he slipped up over the weekend with a 73 and 72to finish on 3 under par he was happy with his 43rd place and can now look forward to the next tournament.
Newcastle resident Simon Thornton was unlucky to miss the one under par cut mark by one shot after rounds of 73 and 71.
Irish Results
-----------------
5th: Damien Mc Grane -13 €42,400.
6th: Darren Clarke -12 €32,500.
43rd:Gary Murphy -3 €5,200.
Missed Cut -1 143.
Simon Thornton Par 144.
Home win for George Murray in Scotland.
A brilliant final hole birdie cemented George Murray’s first professional victory in his homeland at the Scottish Hydro Challenge after a superb final round performance at the Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Course in Aviemore.
The 27 year old was a model of composure as he compiled an outstanding final round of five under par 66 to take the title by four shots from Sweden’s Magnus Carlsson, with England’s Lee Slattery sharing third place with Norwegian Marius Thorp on ten under.
Michael McGeady who was invited to the tournament on a sponsers invitation took advantage and found himself in joint 8th place after hitting rounds of 68,74,68 and a brilliant closing round of 66.His 8 under par total won him €4,933 and a place in the next tournament.
Colm Moriarty from Athlone was the next best Irishman in 21st position on 5 under par.Clandeboys Johnny Caldwell was 37th on 1 under par and Lurgans Gareth Shaw fell back over the weekend to finish down in 54th place on 2 over par.
Paul o Hanlon from the Curragh who like Mc Geady was on a sponsers invite didn't perform too well in his first ever Challenge tour event.He scored 73,77 to miss the level par 36 hole cut by 8 shots.
Results from the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Macdonald Spey Valley GC,Aviemore.
Winner: George Murray -17 267 €32,000.
8th: Michael Mc Geady -8 276 €4,933.
21st:Colm Moriarty -5 279 €1,960.
37th:Jonathon Caldwell -1 283 €1,280.
54th:Gareth Shaw +2 286 €700.
Missed Cut 142
Paul o Hanlon 150.
The 27 year old was a model of composure as he compiled an outstanding final round of five under par 66 to take the title by four shots from Sweden’s Magnus Carlsson, with England’s Lee Slattery sharing third place with Norwegian Marius Thorp on ten under.
Michael McGeady who was invited to the tournament on a sponsers invitation took advantage and found himself in joint 8th place after hitting rounds of 68,74,68 and a brilliant closing round of 66.His 8 under par total won him €4,933 and a place in the next tournament.
Colm Moriarty from Athlone was the next best Irishman in 21st position on 5 under par.Clandeboys Johnny Caldwell was 37th on 1 under par and Lurgans Gareth Shaw fell back over the weekend to finish down in 54th place on 2 over par.
Paul o Hanlon from the Curragh who like Mc Geady was on a sponsers invite didn't perform too well in his first ever Challenge tour event.He scored 73,77 to miss the level par 36 hole cut by 8 shots.
Results from the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Macdonald Spey Valley GC,Aviemore.
Winner: George Murray -17 267 €32,000.
8th: Michael Mc Geady -8 276 €4,933.
21st:Colm Moriarty -5 279 €1,960.
37th:Jonathon Caldwell -1 283 €1,280.
54th:Gareth Shaw +2 286 €700.
Missed Cut 142
Paul o Hanlon 150.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
Stuart Archibald claims his first Europro win.
STUART Archibald has claimed a remarkable victory on the PGA EuroPro Tour after winning a dramatic three-way play-off.
Archibald, 25, triumphed at the Dawson and Sanderson Classic at Longhirst Hall in Northumberland as he edged out Daniel Gaunt and Matt Allen. The trio ended on level par after three rounds and needed five extra play-off holes before Archibald scooped the £10,000 winner’s prize and his first ever EuroPro Tour win.
“This is the biggest moment of my career so far,” said a delighted Archibald, who was seven shots off the lead and in danger of not making the cut after the first day. Hopefully I will now get a few invites to the Challenge Tour and get a couple of starts. It means I’m financially set for a couple of seasons so this is the beginning for me.
5 out of the 9 Irish competing made some money with Brian Mc Elhinney and Neil o Briain the best in joint 11th place on +4.They got £675 each.
Mc Elhinney battled the first round bravely in the near gale force winds to start with a 75.He followed up with a 74 to easily make the +10 cut mark by 3 shots.Brian was still 7 over with 8 holes to go in the final round before putting in a storming finish with 3 birdies to jump well up the field into 11th spot.
Brendan Mc Carroll was packing his bags after a first round of 80.After improving by 10 shots in the second round he made the cut on 6 over par.A great run of birdie,birdie and eagle from the 10th to the 12th helped to produce a final round of 68 for a share of 15th place on +5 and a cheque for £550.
Tim Rice +6 and David Rawluk +13 were the other two Irish to finish all 3 rounds.
Irish results.
-------------------
11th:Brian Mc Elhinney 75,74,68 Neil o Briain 74,70,73 +4 £675.
15th:Brendan Mc Carroll 80,70,68 +5 £550.
16th:Tim Rice 75,70,74 +6 £437.
41st:David Rawluk 74,76,76 +13 £240.
Missed +10 cut
--------------
Ger hall +12.
Noel Fox +13.
Cian McNamara +15.
Mark Campbell +17.
Archibald, 25, triumphed at the Dawson and Sanderson Classic at Longhirst Hall in Northumberland as he edged out Daniel Gaunt and Matt Allen. The trio ended on level par after three rounds and needed five extra play-off holes before Archibald scooped the £10,000 winner’s prize and his first ever EuroPro Tour win.
“This is the biggest moment of my career so far,” said a delighted Archibald, who was seven shots off the lead and in danger of not making the cut after the first day. Hopefully I will now get a few invites to the Challenge Tour and get a couple of starts. It means I’m financially set for a couple of seasons so this is the beginning for me.
5 out of the 9 Irish competing made some money with Brian Mc Elhinney and Neil o Briain the best in joint 11th place on +4.They got £675 each.
Mc Elhinney battled the first round bravely in the near gale force winds to start with a 75.He followed up with a 74 to easily make the +10 cut mark by 3 shots.Brian was still 7 over with 8 holes to go in the final round before putting in a storming finish with 3 birdies to jump well up the field into 11th spot.
Brendan Mc Carroll was packing his bags after a first round of 80.After improving by 10 shots in the second round he made the cut on 6 over par.A great run of birdie,birdie and eagle from the 10th to the 12th helped to produce a final round of 68 for a share of 15th place on +5 and a cheque for £550.
Tim Rice +6 and David Rawluk +13 were the other two Irish to finish all 3 rounds.
Irish results.
-------------------
11th:Brian Mc Elhinney 75,74,68 Neil o Briain 74,70,73 +4 £675.
15th:Brendan Mc Carroll 80,70,68 +5 £550.
16th:Tim Rice 75,70,74 +6 £437.
41st:David Rawluk 74,76,76 +13 £240.
Missed +10 cut
--------------
Ger hall +12.
Noel Fox +13.
Cian McNamara +15.
Mark Campbell +17.
Monday, 7 June 2010
Brilliant win for McDowell in Celtic Manor.
Graeme McDowell produced a simply brilliant victory in The Celtic Manor Wales Open after an exhilarating final round.
Playing on The Twenty Ten Course where he hopes to earn his second Ryder Cup cap against the Americans in October, the 30 year old Northern Irishman was forced to pull out all the stops to grab his fifth European Tour title.
In-form Welshman Rhys Davies was the man to put the heat on with a stunning course record 62 that saw him cover the middle 12 holes in ten under par.
But McDowell matched the 25 year old's front nine 30, started for home with two more birdies and, with a three stroke lead once Davies had bogeyed the difficult 16th, did not let the opportunity slip.
A closing 63 for a 15 under par total of 269 gave McDowell, winless since the 2008 Barclays Scottish Open, the €350,940 first prize by three and left Davies a runner-up for the second week running.
Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane both finished with 71s for a share of 20th place and a cheque for €23,192.Gareth Maybin recovered with a closing 68 to jump into 27th and collect €19,688.
In 39th place was Darren Clarke 73 and Shane Lowry 74.They were on +2 and lifted €12,844 each while Simon Thornton after a brilliant start finished down in 61st on +5 and won €5,580.
Paul McGinley +5 and Gary Murphy +8 both missed the +3 cut mark.
Playing on The Twenty Ten Course where he hopes to earn his second Ryder Cup cap against the Americans in October, the 30 year old Northern Irishman was forced to pull out all the stops to grab his fifth European Tour title.
In-form Welshman Rhys Davies was the man to put the heat on with a stunning course record 62 that saw him cover the middle 12 holes in ten under par.
But McDowell matched the 25 year old's front nine 30, started for home with two more birdies and, with a three stroke lead once Davies had bogeyed the difficult 16th, did not let the opportunity slip.
A closing 63 for a 15 under par total of 269 gave McDowell, winless since the 2008 Barclays Scottish Open, the €350,940 first prize by three and left Davies a runner-up for the second week running.
Peter Lawrie and Damien McGrane both finished with 71s for a share of 20th place and a cheque for €23,192.Gareth Maybin recovered with a closing 68 to jump into 27th and collect €19,688.
In 39th place was Darren Clarke 73 and Shane Lowry 74.They were on +2 and lifted €12,844 each while Simon Thornton after a brilliant start finished down in 61st on +5 and won €5,580.
Paul McGinley +5 and Gary Murphy +8 both missed the +3 cut mark.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Keenan wins Irish Masters on Europro tour at Castle Dargen.
Ian Keenan said he was proud of a win that was “a long time coming” after a final round 67 gave him a one stroke victory at 11 under par at the Castle Dargan PGA EuroPro Tour event in Sligo.
Keenan (Royal Liverpool) led the tournament after the opening round at six under par, and a second round 70 saw him tee off one stroke behind final round leader Andrew Thorpe.
Three birdies on the front nine saw Keenan seize the initiative as Thorpe dropped an early shot. An eagle at the tenth saw him strengthen his position but he admitted a wobble at the 16th had him worried – before he composed himself to finish one stroke clear of Justin Evans.
Paul oHanlon had his 3rd top 10 finish this year on the Europro Tour,but it could have been so much better.After making eagles at the 6th & 10 holes he was up with the leaders on 10 under par,but he slipped back into a share of 4th place when he made bogies at the 14th/16th and 17th holes.
Tim Rice made it to 9 under after 13 holes but he too bogied the 14th and 16th to also share 4th place on -7.
Brian McElhinney was steady with rounds of 67/70/70 to share 7th spot on -6.
Irish Results.
---------------------
4th:Paul oHanlon 70,67,69,Tim Rice 67,72,67 -7.
7th:Brian McElhinney 67,70,70 -6.
11th:Michael Lavelle 68,71,69 -5.
15th:Ruaidhri McGee 71,70,69 -3.
18th:Mark Staunton 69,72,70 -2.
21st:Barrie Trainor 70,71,71...Brendan McCarroll 67,76,69 -1.
27th:Jonathon Mallon 69,70,74...David Rawluk 70,71,72..Cian McNamara 71,71,71 Par.
36th:David Mortimer 72,72,70 +1.
39th:Michael McGeady 70,75,70...Michael Collins 73,71,71 +2.
52nd:Damien Mooney 70,75,74 +3.
53rd:Noel Fox 75,69,76 +4.
Missed cut +3.
Robert Brady,Daniel Sugrue,Padraig Dooley +4.
Mark Campbell +5.
Shane Franklin,David Hughes,Martin McTiernan,Ger Hall +6.
Neil oBriain +10.
Shane Deegan +11.
Andrew Carey +13.
David McQuillen +14.
Stuart Taylor,Ronan Collins +15.
Bobby King,Eoin Gibbons +16.
Lioyd Mulligan +23.
Derek McNamara +26.
Michael Mulryan,Michael Kelly NR.
Keenan (Royal Liverpool) led the tournament after the opening round at six under par, and a second round 70 saw him tee off one stroke behind final round leader Andrew Thorpe.
Three birdies on the front nine saw Keenan seize the initiative as Thorpe dropped an early shot. An eagle at the tenth saw him strengthen his position but he admitted a wobble at the 16th had him worried – before he composed himself to finish one stroke clear of Justin Evans.
Paul oHanlon had his 3rd top 10 finish this year on the Europro Tour,but it could have been so much better.After making eagles at the 6th & 10 holes he was up with the leaders on 10 under par,but he slipped back into a share of 4th place when he made bogies at the 14th/16th and 17th holes.
Tim Rice made it to 9 under after 13 holes but he too bogied the 14th and 16th to also share 4th place on -7.
Brian McElhinney was steady with rounds of 67/70/70 to share 7th spot on -6.
Irish Results.
---------------------
4th:Paul oHanlon 70,67,69,Tim Rice 67,72,67 -7.
7th:Brian McElhinney 67,70,70 -6.
11th:Michael Lavelle 68,71,69 -5.
15th:Ruaidhri McGee 71,70,69 -3.
18th:Mark Staunton 69,72,70 -2.
21st:Barrie Trainor 70,71,71...Brendan McCarroll 67,76,69 -1.
27th:Jonathon Mallon 69,70,74...David Rawluk 70,71,72..Cian McNamara 71,71,71 Par.
36th:David Mortimer 72,72,70 +1.
39th:Michael McGeady 70,75,70...Michael Collins 73,71,71 +2.
52nd:Damien Mooney 70,75,74 +3.
53rd:Noel Fox 75,69,76 +4.
Missed cut +3.
Robert Brady,Daniel Sugrue,Padraig Dooley +4.
Mark Campbell +5.
Shane Franklin,David Hughes,Martin McTiernan,Ger Hall +6.
Neil oBriain +10.
Shane Deegan +11.
Andrew Carey +13.
David McQuillen +14.
Stuart Taylor,Ronan Collins +15.
Bobby King,Eoin Gibbons +16.
Lioyd Mulligan +23.
Derek McNamara +26.
Michael Mulryan,Michael Kelly NR.
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