Mooney warms for Wentworth with victory

Damien Mooney warmed up for this week's BMW PGA Championship by winning the Culcita Garden Furniture Pro-Am at New Ross GC.

Mooney (above) shot a course record five-under-par 65 to beat Irish champion Michael McGeady and Wayne O'Callaghan (Fernhill G&CC) by two shots.

The 45-year-old, representing Ballyliffin GC, began steadily at the Co Wexford venue with a birdie at the par four seventh which got him to the turn in one-under 33. He picked up the pace on the back nine with birdies at 10, 12, 14, 15 and 16 offset by a dropped shot at the par five 13th to come home in four-under 65.
“On the front nine I putted well but holed nothing and on the back nine I holed a few putts,” said Mooney flew out to Wentworth at the weekend for some early reconnaissance ahead of the PGA Championship.

“I read an article in a magazine recently which gave me something I can use. I was feeling pretty good about it. It usually sticks with you for a while and then you have to find something new.
“It's always nice to put a good round together. It gives you something positive to take away and also gives you the opportunity to assess the different elements of your game.”

Mooney is returning to Wentworth after a 10 year gap and is looking forward to the challenge.

“I haven't played it since they made the changes so I will have a look around at the weekend to get my bearings,” he added.

“The last time I played was 2004. I played alongside Scott Drummond for two rounds who went on to win it that year.”

Ciaran Molloy (Blackwood GC) finished in fourth place on one-under-par and he also managed to guide home the winning team in the Pro-Am with a superb score of 95 points.
The next event on the PGA in Ireland circuit is the Etihad Airways Sprint at Seapoint GC.