O’Briain wins PGA Irish Club Professional title after playoff
Neil O'Briain with Dromoland GC Captain Niall Cannon, Dromoland Golf Manager, Mark Reynolds and Dromoland GC President, John Halloran
Old Conna’s Neil O’Briain eagled the first playoff hole to win the PGA Irish Club Professional title sponsored by Carr Golf in dramatic style at Dromoland Castle.
The Dubliner added a 66 to his opening 74 to tie with Clontarf’s Eamonn Brady on four-under par before claiming the title by slotting home a nine footer for an eagle two after hitting a cut drive to the green at the driveable, 264-yard par-four 10th.
Neil O'Briain with the 2018 PGA Irish Club Professional's title
This year's Sunshine Tour Rookie of the Year, the 31-yearold started the final day a full six shots behind round one leader Simon Thornton but charged through the field on the back of a six under par 66 – the lowest score of the week.
“I played really nicely today alright but I knew that I had to go out all guns blazing after a poor performance on day one,” said Neil.
“It was playing tough especially in round one. The wind is always swirling around and it can catch you out.”
Eamonn (69/71) and Neil returned to the short par four 10th [262 yards] for the play-off. In regulation play, Brady had eagled the hole while O'Briain had flown the green but somehow managed to escape with a par.
Neil continued; “It was slightly colder by the time we got out for the play-off and I hit a cutty driver into around nine feet.
“Eamonn followed me and hit a great three wood and was only 16/18 feet away on the fringe.
“He rolled his putt down to gimme range and mine was downhill and left edge and it just about hung on to drop in.
“I'm very happy to win this title, it's one of the trophies that I am missing.”
Overnight leader Thornton followed up his opening round 68 with a one over 73 to finish tied for third.
PGA Irish Club Professional Tournament, sponsored by Carr Golf, Dromoland Castle GC (Par 72)
140 N O’Briain (Old Conna ) 74 66, E Brady (Clontarf ) 69 71(O”Briain won with eagle at 1st playoff hole);
141 S Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) 68 73;
142 J Dillon (Headfort ) 72 71;
144 C Moriarty (Glasson Hotel & ) 74 70, J Bolger (Kilkenny ) 73 71;
145 M Murphy (Mount Wolseley Golf & County C) 73 72;
146 D Barry (Douglas ) 74 72, D Ryan (Cahir Park ) 72 74.
