Staunton and Moriarty share first place at Castlewarden

Mark Staunton has been 'trending' in the right direction in recent weeks and the Delgany GC professional fought his way to the top of a leaderboard at Castlewarden Golf & Country Club. 

Mark fired a four under par 68 at the Aviva sponsored Pro-Am in Co Kildare but he was forced to share top place with Colm Moriarty (Glasson Hotel & Golf Club). 

The duo finished one shot ahead of the reigning Irish PGA Champion, Tim Rice (Limerick GC), with Mark O'Mahony (Titleist National Fitting Centre) and Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) a shot further back. 

The 36-year-old Staunton started his round at the 10th and went to the turn in two under 33 courtesy of three birdies and a bogey at the par-four 15th. On his way home he added two further birdies at the fifth and sixth. 

Moriarty, who moved to the top of the Order of Merit with this result, also started his round at the 10th and picked up just the one birdie over his opening nine holes but came home in three under 34 on his way to a 68 (-4). 

The team prize was collected by Thornton and amateur partners Pat Fitzsimmons, Greg Flynn and Damian Flynn with a fine score of 93 points.

The Aviva Castlewarden Pro Am

Castlewarden Golf & Country Club (Par 72)

Leading scores

T1      Colm Moriarty  (Glasson Hotel & GC)                 -4       68     

T1      Mark Staunton  (Delgany GC)                           -4       68     

3        Tim Rice  (Limerick GC)                                   -3       69     

T4      Mark O'Mahony  (Titleist National Fitting Cent)   -2       70     

T4      Simon Thornton  (Tulfarris Golf Resort)             -2       70     

T6      David Higgins  (Waterville Golf Links)                -1       71     

T6      Eamonn Brady  (Clontarf GC)                           -1       71     

T6      Mark Whelan  (Castlewarden Golf & CC)            -1       71