McGrane makes it four in a row

Damien McGrane has built up a remarkable record at the Royal Curragh Pro-Am.

The Carlow GC professional won the Newbridge Silverware sponsored event for the fourth time in a row although on this occasion, he was forced to share top billing with Joe Dillon (Headfort GC).

The duo posted rounds of five under par 67 to finish one shot ahead of Michael McGeady (Evolve Golf Coaching).

McGrane has played sparingly this season, concentrating instead on his role at Carlow but it seems that Royal Curragh always brings out his best.

The 47-year-old dropped a shot on the fourth but collected four birdies on the front nine as he went to the turn in three under 34. He continued his smooth progress on the back nine, adding birdies at the 12^th, 14^th and 18^th with his second bogey of the day coming at the par four 17^th.

In contrast, Dillon relied on a brilliant back nine to join McGrane at the head of affairs.

Starting at the 10^th, his front nine had a little bit everything, including back to back eagles at the 12^th and 13^th. He also collected a double-bogey, and three further bogeys as he went to the turn in one over 36.

His back nine was a completely different story as he picked up six birdies in a bogey free run that helped him to the top of the leaderboard alongside McGrane.

The team event was won by Hazel Kavanagh (Impact Golf at Leopardstown) and her amateur partners with a superb score of 102pts.