McGrane cruises to success in Ruby Walsh Crumlin Hospital Research Pro-Am.

Damien McGrane grabbed his second victory in a week at the Ruby Walsh Crumlin Hospital Research Pro-Am.

The 45-year-old was forced to share first place with Denis O'Sullivan on Monday at the Cork Pro-Am but no-one could match him at Athy Golf Club on Friday.

His six under par round off 66 saw him ease to a comfortable five shot win ahead of Andy Hogan (Edmondstown) and Wayne O'Callaghan (Fernhill Golf & Country Club).

Damien laid the platform for his success over the front nine which he covered in five under par 32. He birdied the second and fourth, eagled the par five fifth and followed up with another birdie at the eighth. His back nine was less spectacular with bogeys at the 13^th and 16^th offset by three more birdies at the 12^th, 17^th and 18^th.

“I'm hitting it long and straight at the minute which is giving me the chance to get up on the par fives and even get close to some of the par fours off the tee,” said McGrane.

“Putting the ball into good positions is giving me the opportunities to attack the pins and when a few of the putts drop, then the scoring is low.”

McGrane also came out on top in the team event, guiding his amateur partners - Eamon Wynne, Eric Conway and Harry Keano – to victory with 89 pts.