No change at the top as Kearney continues to dominate at PGA Play-Offs

It was a case of as you were at the Titleist PGA Play-Offs as Ireland’s Niall Kearney (above) remained at the top with countryman Colm Moriarty staying within touching distance.

Kearney (Royal Dublin) had a flawless 67, doing all of his scoring on the front nine, before coming home in 11 consecutive pars to ease to 10-under for the £15,000 tournament ahead of tomorrow’s final round.

Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance Ltd) was in danger of slipping behind but rallied over the closing holes with a hat-trick of birdies from 14 to hang on to the coattails of his younger rival.

But as Moriarty observed it is not just a two horse race for the title with defending champion Greig Hutcheon (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre); Jason Levermore (Channels) and David Dixon (Enmore Park) all reproducing their opening three-under-par 68s to edge to six-under.

They remain in the hunt for one of the three GB&I PGA Cup places on offer as does Alex Belt (Bridlington Links), who is on five-under, while Benn Barham (PGolfcoaching@Pedham), a member of the 2011 GB&I team that drew with the US at Slaley Hall, made a significant move to lie four-under after a 67. His fellow GB&I team-mate Graham Fox (Clydeway Golf) also cannot be discounted at two-under-par along with St Kew’s Richard O’Hanlon.

They will also be keen to cement a top 10 finish to secure a place at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth next year.

But whether anyone can halt Kearney is the question given his second round display, which had the putter been hot after the turn could well have seen him cantering across the finish line as he assessed his second round performance.

“I got off to a great start,” said the 26-year-old. “I was four-under through seven and playing very well.

“I was hitting the fairways and hitting the greens and giving myself loads of chances, makeable chances. I didn’t really carry it through the back nine as I hit the greens but left it too far away to hole the putts.

“I’m just going to stick to the process of get it off the tee and on to the fairway and on to the green. I feel like I’m putting well, certainly from 10-12 feet, so there should be chances out there to shoot a good score tomorrow.”

Moriarty (above), who carded a second successive 68, admitted keeping in touch with Kearney was key and expects tomorrow to be ‘interesting’.

He said: “I played quite nicely and drove the ball very well I just didn’t hit my iron shots as close as I would like on the front nine. I had a nice little run on the back nine as I birdied 14, 15 and 16 and made two little nice up and downs at the last two as well. It was a nice way to finish.

“I feel a lot better as I was five behind with five to play. Two shots is nothing but there are other guys there as well it’s not just a two horse race. A couple of the guys shot good scores so it’ll be an interesting final day.”

Defending champion Hutcheon, has yet to hit top form and knows he needs a strong finish if he is to achieve his twin aims of competing at Wentworth next May but more importantly seal a PGA Cup spot.

His 68 owed much to two birdies at 16 and 17, plus a testing up and down to save par at the last to share third spot.

“My game was not quite as good today, as it was scrappy in places,” said Hutcheon (above). “I didn’t strike the ball as well but I'm pleased with my scores as it was a struggle.

“It keeps me in it but the guys are pressing on and I really need my best round of the week tomorrow and get in the PGA Cup team.

“I think it will be quite tense tomorrow. Some of the lads have never played PGA Cup and I have and I know how great a tournament it is and how much I want to be there.

“I’ve not played fantastic but I’ve a couple of good scores and I know I’ve got a good round of golf in me and that’s what I need to find tomorrow.”