David Carey took the spoils as the latest Team Ireland series event touched down at The K Club in Kildare.
The Castleknock professional fired a three-under par 69 in round one on the Palmer South course before adding a two-under par 70 on the Palmer North to complete a one stroke win at five-under par.
Carey, who lit up the Alps Tour circuit last year when shooting an incredible round of 57 on the way to winning his maiden pro title at the Cervino Open, edged out Galway’s Ronan Mullarney who returned successive rounds of 70 to take second place at four-under.
Portmarnock’s Conor Purcell (-3), who tasted victory last month at the venue when winning the inaugural Irish Golfer Shootout, carded rounds of 70 and 71, pipping Naas pro Conor O’Rourke to the last podium spot.
O’Rourke was consistent in returning a pair of 71s for a two-under total with Whitehead’s John Ross Galbraith and Shannon’s Daniel Brennan (both minus-one), the only other players of the 12 to break par.
Carey adds his name to an impressive list of winners after Cormac Sharvin and Leona Maguire won events one and two respectively at Carton House and Mount Juliet.
This was the third Team Ireland event since the inception of the series, aiming to fill the competitive void for players amid Covid-19. Again there was a significant purse on the line with Carey collecting the top prize of €1,800.
A constant support since it was established in 1999 in aid of Ireland’s up and coming talents, Team Ireland again pledged big money – €221,000 to be split evenly between its 13 players this year – however with no tour golf on the menu for the lucky recipients, team coach, Neil Manchip revealed that it was Cormac Sharvin who suggested a Team Ireland organised golfing calendar to fill the competitive void.
“It really came out of a conversation with Cormac Sharvin who suggested that we could get some events up and running, just for the Team Ireland players, many of whom are left without any tournaments to play in throughout the season,” said Manchip.
“So it’s just to fill in that gap and give them some good competition between now and when they resume. Since the hiatus they’ve not had any tournament golf for the last few months so it is very important to get back playing. Every player here is a fantastic player so even though we only have a field of 12, everyone is a very good player. So it is great competition for them all and hopefully [it can] get them back in good form before they head back out on their various tours.”
Full scoring HERE
Leave a comment