Kearney returns to defend Irish PGA crown

Niall Kearney has set his sights on joining an illustrious list of names to successfully defend the LowFuelcard.ie Irish PGA Championship this week at Dundalk GC (Oct 1-4).

The 27-year-old could follow in the footsteps of Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley and Christy O'Connor by collecting the trophy on Sunday in Blackrock.

“It's an event I have had pencilled into the schedule from early on and I'm looking forward to it,” said the Dubliner who is still coming back down to earth after holing the winning putt for GB&I in an historic PGA Cup win over the US on American soil.

“I like Dundalk GC. I have played it quite a few times over the years but I have to admit, it has been a while – could even be back when I was playing boys inter-pros.

“It's an ideal venue for me because I can stay at home, sleep in my own bed, all that sort of thing.”

Kearney won the 2014 Irish PGA Championship in impressive style last year, grabbing a birdie at the last to edge out Michael McGeady at Adare Manor Golf Club.

It capped what was a hugely successful season on the Irish circuit for Kearney which included five victories and the Order of Merit title.

“Winning the title last year provided me with a real springboard,” he added.

“I got into the PGA Play-offs in Turkey and won that which gave me another confidence boost.

“That led to other opportunities like playing in the PGA Cup and the BMW PGA Championship but I wasn't thinking of any of those at the time. I just wanted to win the championship because of the names that were on the trophy, the history and kudos associated with the event.

“This year is no different. I don't feature on the Order of Merit, I haven't been active enough this year but I still want to defend the Championship.”

The Royal Dublin man will have his work cut out this week, with a strong field lined up against him including the 2012 winner David Higgins (Waterville) and the 2011 champion, Simon Thornton (Team Ireland).

Higgins has been a model of consistency this season and rightly leads the order of merit but with over 5000 points on offer to the winner this week, his nearest rivals, Eamonn Brady (Clontarf), Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance) and Neil O'Briain (Old Conna GC) could mount a serious challenge to his place at the summit.

Kearney gets his campaign up and running from the first tee at 12.50pm alongside Higgins and the vastly experienced Damien Mooney (Ballyliffin). In-form Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny) a two-time winner in recent events, will tee off on Thursday alongside Thornton and Brady at 12.40pm.