Irwin claims wire-to-wire Irish Assistants win
Monkstown Golf Club's Shane Irwin
Monkstown Golf Club's Shane Irwin went wire-to-wire to claim the Nuremore Irish PGA Assistants' Championship title.
The Limerick born golfer, heading into his third year of PGA training, posted rounds of 69, 67, 76 and 72 at the County Monaghan venue to win by five shots on level par.
Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort’s Gavin Young finished in second with Carlow’s Tara Delaney third, two shots further back.
“I went for a lesson with coach Eddie Doyle a couple of weeks ago and I did feel confident,” said the 24-year-old.
“I didn't expect to win but I expected to do well. The first day was very good. I played some solid golf in round one. The second round was very similar and I managed to pick up a few birdies.”
Shane led St Anne's Gary McGrane by six shots at the close of play on day one with Concra Wood’s Ciaran Lavery in third a further two shots back.
Shane added: “It was tough over the final 36-holes. I had never led a PGA tournament or anything like that.
“I tried to stick to the game plan and hit irons off the tee when others were hitting drivers. I knew they would make some big numbers chasing.”
A quick chat between rounds with his boss at Monkstown, Cian McNamara helped settle Shane following a third-round 76.
“He encouraged me to stick to the game plan, not to do anything stupid and just to go out and play,” added Shane who thanked Cian and the Monkstown members who drove up from Cork to support him.
“That helped me a lot when I played in the last round. I just tried to keep it in play and let the other lads make mistakes.”
The next event on the agenda for Shane is the Birdietime PGA Assistants' Championship at Pleasington Golf Club (July 31-Aug 2).
Nuremore Irish PGA Assistants' Championship at Nuremore Hotel & Country Club (Par 72)
284 Shane Irwin (Monkstown GC) 69 67 76 72
289 Gavin Young (Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort) 74 72 76 67
291 Tara Delaney (Carlow GC) 75 70 77 69
293 Gary McGrane (St Anne's GC) 75 67 77 74
295 Ciaran Lavery (Concra Wood GC) 70 74 77 74
296 Stephen Barry (Royal Tara GC) 72 73 73 78
298 Eric Byrne (Rathfarnham GC) 79 73 74 72
299 Jack Howard (Fota Island GC) 79 71 72 77
