The Higgins clan will have enjoyed the get-together as much as the golf but David Higgins could have no complaints as he was outscored by two strokes by Limerick’s Tim Rice in the Winter Series for Munster PGA professionals at Cork Golf Club.

Cork’s John Hickey opened with a one-under 71 to lead the Irish challenge in the DP World Tour Qualifying School First Stage qualifier at Mottram Hall in Cheshire.

Roganstown’s teenage sensation Sean Keeling carded a brilliant seven-under 65 to top the qualifiers in Regional Qualifying for The Open at County Louth and keep alive his dream of playing in The 150th Open at St Andrews next month.

Tim Rice and Leslie Walker took advantage of perfect conditions to fire five-under 66s as Newlands’ Alex Nicoara carded a 65 to win the nett with TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links.

Former European Tour player Gary Murphy carded a one-under 70 for the best score of the day in the opening TaylorMade Winter Series outing of the season at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links.

Cork professional John Hickey blasted an eagle and four birdies in his first eight holes en route to a four-under 67 and victory in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

West winds gusting over 40 km/h made for tough scoring, but Jonathan Yates and Eoin O'Brien managed to match par and take the top prizes in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

Grange professional Michael McDermott and The Island’s Conor Murtagh beat cold conditions to win the top prizes in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

Professionals John McDermott and Bernard Quigley conquered winds gusting up to 30 mph to win the top prizes in Tuesday's TaylorMade Winter Series outing at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.