Higgins and Thornton take top spot at Castlewarden

From left to right: David Higgins, Aviva representative Colin Ryan, and Simon Thornton.

David Higgins (Waterville Links) and Simon Thornton (Simon Thornton Golf) shared top billing at the Aviva Castlewarden Pro-Am.The duo carded rounds of five under par 67 to top the leaderboard, one shot ahead of Irish PGA Champion, Tim Rice.

The joint winners couldn't have had more different days on the course.

David produced a bogey free round at the Co. Kildare venue. Out in one under par 36 with a birdie at the ninth, he proceeded to birdie the 10th and 11th and then added further birdies at 16 and 18 to come home in four under par 31.

Simon's round included six birdies, an eagle at the par five eighth and three bogeys at the third, fourth and 13th. He went to the turn in two under par 35, coming home in three under par 33.

Higgins also collected the team event, guiding his amateur partners of Brad Flynn, Andy Callanan and Olly Lawlor to a victory with 89 points.

The ladies longest drive prize went to Clodagh Walsh with Thomas O'Neill collecting the men's equivalent. The nearest the pin gong went to Andy Callanan.