Cullen wins opening TaylorMade Winter Series outing

Portmarnock Links

Beaverstown's Gary Cullen looks like he plans to continue his hot summer form after he made six birdies in a four-under 67 to win the gross in the opening TaylorMade Winter Series outing of the season at Portmarnock Links.

Gary Cullen

The reigning Leinster Mid-Amateur champion went out in 32 shots thanks to birdies at the fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth as 60 players took to the links in a stiff breeze.

Now playing off plus three, the former Irish Amateur Open winner came home in level par 35, following bogeys at the 11th and 12th with birdies at the 14th and 16th.

His 67 gave him the gross prize by five strokes from Grange professional Michael McDermott as Carton House's Keith Egan shot 73 to finish third.

Corballis professional Gordan Howard shot a 68 to win the nett category, going out in level par before coming home in three under.

After an early bogey at the third, he had a clean card after that, picking up shots at the fifth, 11th, 13th and 16th holes alongside three-handicap Corballis amateur Chris Farrell, who took the second nett prize with a 72.

TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, Par 71 (SSS 75, CSS, 76)

Nett

1st Gordan Howard (Pro) Corballis 68

2nd Chris Farrell (3) Corballis 72

3rd Jim Murphy (9) Down Royal 74

Gross

1st Gary Cullen (+3) Beaverstown 67

2nd Michael McDermott (Pro) Grange GC 72

3rd Keith Egan (+3) Carton House 73