Higgins racks up victory No 33 in Carlow Pro-Am

PGA professional Damien McGrane (Carlow GC) and Michael Kirwan (Captain Carlow GC) with Pro-Am winner David Higgins

Waterville’s David Higgins picked up his second win of the season on the PGA in Ireland circuit when he fired a four-under 66 around the Deerpark Course to win Monday’s Sheehy Motor Group sponsored Carlow Pro-Am.

The former European Tour player, who won the Straffan Pro-Am at The Club’s Palmer South Course last month, won by a shot from Glasson Lakehouse’s Colm Moriarty and reigning Irish PGA champion Simon Thornton from Tulfarris.

Michael Kirwan, David Higgins and Michael Kavanagh (Captain Irish PGA)

Just six of 48 professionals broke par, which speaks volumes about the challenge at Carlow.

“It is fantastic to be back playing competitive golf after such a long layoff,” said Higgins (48), who has now had 33 successes and 31 runner-up finishes on the domestic circuit in 277 events.

Higgins will be looking to take that form to Carne for this week’s Irish PGA Championship, where he will be seeking his second success following his win at Mount Juliet in 2012.

Carlow Pro-Am, sponsored by Sheehy Motors: 1, David Higgins 66; T2 Colm Moriarty, Simon Thornton 67; T4 Joe Dillon, Steven Quinlan 68; 6, Damian Mooney 69; T7 Jimmy Bolger, David Barry, Ciaran Molloy 70; T10 Mark Cribben, Patrick Geraghty, Paul O’Neill 71.