Thornton comes up trumps at Delgany Pro-Am

Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) posted an excellent six under par 63 to win the Delgany Pro-Am supporting the Down Syndrome Centre.

Thornton arrived at the Wicklow venue in good form following a three-shot win in a Northern Branch event at Spa Golf Club (Ballynahinch).

With a shot-gun start in operation, the 41-year-old began his round at the 17^th with a couple of regulation pars. He birdied the first, second and fourth but dropped a shot at the par-four sixth as he played his opening nine holes in two under.

After two more pars at the eighth and ninth Thornton's round suddenly took off with a run of five birdies in a row at the 10^th, 11^th, 12^th, 13^th and 14^th. He added another par at the 15^th but dropped a shot at his closing hole of the day, the 16^th, to post 63.

Steven Quinlan (Halpenny Golf) finished second three shots adrift with Hazel Kavanagh (Impact Golf at Leopardstown) alone in third on two under par.

Adam Dunmore (Bundoran) and amateur partners Ted Willams, Jim Myers and Rory O'Mara collected the team prize with a fine score of 93 points.