Thornton eases to success at Cairndhu Pro-Am
Simon Thornton
Simon Thornton fired a second round two under par 68 to complete a wire-to-wire victory at the Cairndhu Pro-Am on Saturday.
The Team Ireland professional finished the 36-hole event on five under par, four strokes ahead of nearest rival David Higgins from Waterville.
The 38-year-old from Newcastle began Saturday's second and final round with a one-shot lead over Massereene's Noel Murray. He dropped a shot at the second but birdies at the sixth and eighth saw him to the turn in one under 33.
A further dropped shot followed at the 11th but once again he responded well and birdies at the par five 14th and par five 17th eased him to the clubhouse in one under par 35.
Murray's challenge faltered over his opening nine holes leaving the way clear for Order of Merit leader, David Higgins (Waterville) to come through and secure second place with a second round 69.
Higgins also won the team prize, edging out pre-event favourite Damian Mooney from Ballyliffin, courtesy of scoring 89 points on Saturday.
Cairndhu Pro-Am, Cairndhu GC (Par 70)
1 S Thornton (Team Ireland) 67/68 (135)
2 D Higgins (Waterville) 70/69 (139)
T3 N Murray (Massereene GC) 68/74; J Quinlivan (Mullingar GC) 69/73 (142)
T5 E Brady (Clontarf GC) 73/70; C Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance Ltd) 72/71; C Molloy (Blackwood GC) 73/70 (143)
T8 B McGovern (Headfort GC) 74/70; D Mooney (Ballyliffin GC) 73/71 (144)
T10 N O'Briain (Old Conna GC) 78/68; G Wardlow (Spa GC) 72/74 (146)
Team Pro-Am
1 D Higgins (Waterville) 172
2 D Mooney (Ballyliffin) 172
3 G Dunlea (Monkstown GC) 171
