Thornton secures Irish PGA Championship title

Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) won the rain affected 108th Irish PGA Championship at Galway Bay Golf Resort.

“Traditionally I always start the season pretty poorly, it doesn't matter what Tour I am playing on,” said the 41-year-old Newcastle based player who finished the tournament on three under par (71/70).

“I said to myself back in February that I wasn't going to let it happen this year and I put some more work in so I could compete straight away and that paid dividends.

“I have played really nicely, had some really good scores and this caps off a really good year.”

Simon's opening round 71 left him three shots behind the leader, Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge GC).

Unfortunately, the remnants of Storm Callum forced the second round to be halted on day two and then heavy rain battered the players when they returned the following day to complete round two.

With the forecast promising further heavy rain, PGA officials declared Thornton the winner after 36 holes. It's his second Irish PGA Championship success following victory at Seapoint in 2011.

“It was very windy when we started round two. The last half hour before we came off the course was brutal,” added Simon.

“It is a golf course where the wind comes at you from different angles so it was just a matter of hitting the ball in the place you wanted to miss best rather than going at flags.”

He continued; “It was actually quite benign when we started off to finish the second round.

“I played lovely and hit a nice tee shot at our first hole of the day which was the 15th.

“I birdied 16, 17, 18 and the second and then I doubled three. It was fine when we teed off at the third but by the time we got to the green it was like a monsoon but that is the way it goes, you just have to plug away, I'm delighted to win.”

Kilpatrick finished in second place after following up his opening round 68 with a two over par 74. David Higgins (Waterville Links) grabbed third posting a 69 to follow up his opening round 74.

108th Irish PGA Championship (Sponsored by TLC Nursing Homes) at Galway Bay Golf Resort.

Leading scores:

1          S Thornton  (Tulfarris Golf Resort)                 71/70               141              

2          R Kilpatrick  (Banbridge GC)                          68/74               142     

3          D Higgins  (Waterville Golf Links)                   74/69               143     

4          N Kearney  (Royal Dublin GC)                        72/72               144     

5          M McGeady  (Evolve Golf Coaching)                73/72               145     

6          T Rice  (Limerick GC)                                     71/75               146     

T7        J Bolger  (Kilkenny GC)                                  72/75               147     

T7        N O'Briain  (Old Conna GC)                             71/76               147     

T7        D McGrane  (Carlow GC)                                 75/72               147