McGrane holds off Kearney to win at Shannon GC
12/05/2014
Damien McGrane showed some European Tour class in winning the Dr William Flynn Memorial Pro-Am at Shannon GC, carding a five-under par round of 67 to beat Niall Kearney by one shot.
McGrane has missed his last three cuts on the European Tour, but the 43-year-old was in fine form at Shannon, going out in four under 34 and coming home in one under 33. A run of four consecutive birdies from the fifth, set the 2008 Volvo China Open winner on the road to a confidence boosting success.
Challenge Tour player Kearney birdied the three par fives on the front nine to be out in three-under 35, but a dropped shot at the par-three 10th halted his momentum briefly before he picked up two more birdies at the 13th and 16th to sign for a 68.
The 25-year-old from Royal Dublin has been a consistent performer on The PGA in Ireland circuit this season, with three top 10 finishes to his name.
Mark Staunton, who has recently taken up a teaching role at Delgany GC, finished tied for third on two-under-par alongside the in-form John Kelly. The St Margaret's professional missed out on his third win in a row at Shannon.
The team award went to Padraig McGrath, P&M Golf Superstore Ltd, with 97pts ahead of Wayne O'Callaghan, Fernhill G&CC on 96.
