A Dublin golfer will lead Ireland's challenge to be crowned the best player in the PGA when he lines up in the Srixon PGA Play-Offs at Royal Liverpool next Tuesday (October 21).
John Kelly from St Margaret's Golf and Country Club will be joined by ex-Ryder Cup player Philip Walton and Eammon Brady (Clontarf) in the £15,000 event which also carries the added incentive for the victor of entry to some of Europe's biggest tour events including the English, Scottish, Wales and European Opens.
Kelly, who has already secured his place in BMW PGA Championship after topping the Irish Order of Merit, had nine top five finishes during an impressive season that included victories in the Irish Club Pro Tournament, PGA Southern Professional Championship and Tullamore Pro-Am.
The 37-year-old will be making his first appearance in the tournament as will Walton whose named is etched in Ryder Cup history after clinching a decisive singles win against Jay Hass in the 1995 contest at Oak Hill.
Brady, who is making his second appearance having played last year, earned a late call up after Order of Merit runner up Rob Giles and fourth-placed Simon Thornton didn't enter due to a clash of commitments.
The event is now in its third year and brings together the best 21 players from across Great Britain and Ireland - the top three from each of the PGA's seven regions - for the right to be called the PGA's No1 player.
Two days of intense competition tee off over the famed links of the 2006 Open venue on October 21.
The winning player will pocket £2,000 in prize money and also secure their place in the European Open, English Open, Scottish Open and Wales Open as well as a number of Challenge Tour events.
Last year the event was won by Paul Streeter, who led a Midland Region clean sweep of the top three places.
18 October, 2008