While the Irish PGA is again in the balance, the €25,000 Slieve Russell Pro-Am will go ahead from June 8-9 in its first weekend staging.The Irish Region is again searching for a date, a venue and a new sponsor for the 103rd PGA Irish Championship.

Mount Juliet will stage the 102nd Irish Professional Championship from October 11-14.

Barrie Trainor. Picture Jenny Matthews/Newsfile.ie Barrie Trainor won the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet tournament in association with PING and Failte Ireland to claim the Order of Merit title.

The Warrenpoint native shot rounds of 68 and 70 at the Kilkenny venue to win by four shots from Brendan McGovern on six under par and take the Irish Order of Merit title from last year’s winner David Higgins.

Waterville man Higgins (70-73) tied for third with Eamonn Brady, Jimmy Bolger, Robert Giles and Darren McWilliams on one under par.

David Higins wants to retain the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet this weekend. Pictured during the BMW PGA at Wentworth by Eoin Clarke/Golffile.ieDavid Higgins will have his eyes peeled for Barrie Trainor and Damian Mooney when he tries to retain the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING and Failte Ireland this weekend.

David Higgins retained the PGA Irish Order of Merit when he fired a seven under par 65 at the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING and Failte Ireland.

David Mortimer can end a magnificent domestic season by motoring off with the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet and a €10,000 bonus.

The Connemara ace, 35, wants to win the Irish Order of Merit title for the first time after claiming the Glenmuir PGA as well as his second Irish PGA crown this term.