The McGinley FoundationBrian KeoghOctober 23, 2025Augusta National Golf ClubJames Sugrue, Clutch Tour Championship, DP World Tour Qualifying School, Mark Power, Conor Purcell, Ronan Mullarney, Hugh Foley, John Ross Galbraith, Dermot McElroy, Max Kennedy, Cormac Sharvin, Robert Moran, Paul McBride, Tom Dowdall, David CareyComment

Sugrue clinches HotelPlanner Tour card as Power wins Clutch Tour Championship and Q-School boost

James Sugrue in action at the 2020 Masters Tournament

Mallow’s James Sugrue clinched his HotelPlanner Tour card for 2026 when he finished third in the Clutch Tour Order of Merit following his tie for sixth behind Mark Power in the season-ending Clutch Tour Championship.

The 2019 Amateur Championship winner closed with a second successive five-under 65 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club in Abu Dhabi to finish on 10-under.

“Obviously, the goal at the end of the season was get on the HotelPlanner Tour and done that,” said Sugrue, who was under pressure after opening with a level par 70 but went bogey free for the last two days.

“I couldn't really be happier to be quite honest, goal achieved, and everything that goes with it. So, yeah, absolutely over the moon.

“I’m very proud, especially after round one. I got off to a slow start, which is not what I wanted. It’s a long course, 7200 yards, par 70. But as I say, no matter what the course is or where it's at, there'll always be someone shoot seven under.

“And yeah, they proved it out there this week. Mark, 17 under for three rounds out there is phenomenal. He'd be at the top of leaderboard on every tour out there.”

He addd: “I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and just can't wait for 2026 and see what the future holds.”

He was six shots behind Kilkenny man Power, who shot rounds of 66, 65 and 63 to win the final event by two shots from Laytown and Bettystown’s Alex Maguire on 16-under.

Power won £15,000 with Maguire taking home £10,000 and Sugrue, £3,224.

“First official win is a pro, so it feels great,” Power said. “And to do at the Tour Championship is very satisfying. I feel like the good golf's been coming, but you keep telling yourself it's going to come, it's going to come.

“But that's what we work hard for. And thankfully, this week, it fell into place a big event.

While Sugrue and Maguire missed out at the First Stage, Power will be one of 12 Irish players bidding to keep their DP World Tour card hopes alive at the Second Stage of the Qualifying School in Spain next week.