Golf Ireland are delighted to announce that Bridgestone have returned as sponsors for the Men’s Order of Merit for the remainder of the 2021 season.
The Order of Merit consists of ten events, including last weekend’s AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship at Tullamore GC which was won by Douglas’ Peter O’Keeffe.
2020 Bridgestone Order of Merit winner Alan Fahy (Dun Laoghaire GC) helped launch the sponsorship. He currently lies in 13th place in the standings. North of Ireland champion Alex Maguire currently leads the Bridgestone Order of Merit on 573 points. The Laytown and Bettystown golfer also won the Connacht Men’s Stroke Play in what has been an impressive 2021.
O’Keefe’s win in Tullamore sees the Cork golfer move up nine spots into second place on 493 points, leapfrogging Co. Sligo’s TJ Ford (430 points). After losing to O’Keeffe in the Play-Off on Sunday evening in the Offaly venue, Castle’s Robert Moran jumped five spots to fourth place on 417 points. Forrest Little’s Jack McDonnell completes the top-five after his T3 finish in Tullamore. He has moved 12 places up the standings and is on 302 points.
Speaking at the renewal of the announcement with Bridgestone, Golf Ireland CEO Mark Kennelly said he was delighted to welcome them back on board.
“Last weekend’s event in Tullamore shows the strength we have in Irish men’s amateur golf currently,” said Kennelly. “Bridgestone have become synonymous with the Order of Merit in recent years, and their support for the remainder of the exciting 2021 season is much appreciated.
“Peter’s win sets up an exciting second half of the season, as he and the rest of the field look to close the gap on Alex after his two excellent wins.”
Colm Conyngham, Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Bridgestone Ireland, commented: “Bridgestone are delighted to return as sponsors of the Order of Merit, continuing our association with amateur golf in Ireland.
“We are very happy that we can once again shine a spotlight on emerging talent golfers in the early part of their career and help them on their way. It’s encouraging for all to see the continued return of golf fixtures in Ireland at all levels, including those in the Bridgestone Order of Merit.”
A minimum of three events remain in this year’s Bridgestone Order of Merit, including the West of Ireland Men’s Open in September and the Munster Stroke Play Championship and Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship in October. The postponed East Of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open will also form part of the Bridgestone Order of Merit, if played in 2021.
Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit (Current Standings)
- Alex Maguire (Laytown and Bettystown) – 573
- Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas) – 498
- TJ Ford (Co. Sligo) – 430
- Robert Moran (Castle) – 417
- Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little) – 302
- Sam Murphy (Portumna) – 287
- Paul Conroy (Enniscorthy) – 275
- Max Kennedy (Royal Dublin) – 267
- David Kitt (Athenry) – 261
- Charlie Denvir (Elm Park) – 236
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