Weldon stages huge turnaround to seal Co Meath qualifier

Richard Weldon recovered from a poor start to top the leaderboard at the PGA Assistants' Championship Irish qualifying event at Co Meath.

Weldon, from Dunshaughlin-based Black Bush Golf Club, lost his ball as he carded a seven at only the second hole.

But he recovered superbly with birdies on the next two holes and he finished the day with a level par round of 73 to win by one shot ahead of Tara Delaney of Carlow Golf Club.

The pair now join eight other qualifiers at the £32,000, Birdietime-supported, grand final which will be played at Farleigh Golf Club in Surrey between July 3-5.

Weldon admitted his place in the final seemed a long way off early on his his round.

“My shot at the par-five second hole went off to the right and I lost the ball, so I had to take a seven there,” he explained.

“But I recovered well after that which was good after the shaky start.

“It all went to plan after that. I’d played a practice round the day before and felt I’d got to know the course pretty well.

“I haven’t had a chance to look at the venue for the final, but I’ll be doing that as soon as possible.”

The first year PGA assistant is a former EuroPro Tour player.

“I’ve made a reasonable start to the season and things are starting to click now,” said 30-year-old Weldon.

“I wanted to take the PGA course because I’ve always loved golf and loved playing.

“But I’ve also enjoyed the buzz you get from giving lessons. I really enjoy the coaching side of it. I took advice off a few people and they said the PGA course was a great one to do with great people.”