Howard up to second in Bridgestone Order of Merit

David Howard (Fota Island) celebrates his win at the East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship at County Louth Golf Club. Photo: INPHO | Bryan Keane

David Howard’s dramatic maiden victory at the East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship has seen the Fota Island golfer rise to second place on the Bridgestone Men's Order of Merit.

The 26-year-old Cork native claimed his first Golf Ireland Championship last weekend with a one-shot victory over Robert Abernethy (Dun Laoghaire) on a thrilling final day at County Louth Golf Club.

Howard’s win in Baltray earned him 250 points, adding to the 245 he secured for a 7th place finish at the Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship at Seapoint Golf Club. This haul pushed him from 7th to 2nd on the Order of Merit, just 330 points behind current leader Stuart Grehan.

Grehan, who has led the standings since his victory at Seapoint, has continued his strong return to the amateur ranks. A top ten finish at the East, his third of the season, added another 95 points to his total as the County Louth golfer remains the one to catch.

The biggest mover on the Men’s Order of Merit this week is Abernethy, whose outstanding closing rounds of 66 and 69 on the final day at the East saw him finish just shy of Howard at the East with his runner-up finish earning 210 points and vaulting him from T63 to 11th in the standings.

Next up in what is a busy stretch for the men is the Connacht Men’s Amateur Stroke Play Championship, teeing up at Galway Golf Club on June 6 and 7.

On the Bridgestone Women's Order of Merit, Aideen Walsh continues to lead the standings with a 20-point advantage over Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas), Katie Poots (Knock) and Olivia Costello (Roscommon).

The next event on the women’s circuit is the Flogas Irish Women’s Amateur Open Championship, which offers the season’s largest points allocation. It tees off at Headfort Golf Club from June 21.