Ford can go top of the Bridgestone Order of Merit at Rosses Point

TJ Ford will hope local knowledge can help him move to the top of the Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit after this week’s West of Ireland Men’s Open

The Co. Sligo golfer plays on his home course this weekend and is the only player in the field who can overtake Laytown and Bettystown’s Alex Maguire at the top of the standings. A top-two finish for Ford will see the South of Ireland champion overtake Maguire going into the final two events.

Ford and two of his Connacht teammates from last week’s Interprovincial Championships, Jack McDonnell and David Kitt are the top-ranked Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit players in the field with 17 of the 30 ranked players competing at Rosses Point.

The winner of this week’s event earns 250 points, with 160 for second place, and 130 for coming in third. Each player who makes the cut at Rosses Point is guaranteed at least 30 points in the Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit standings.

Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit (Current Standings)

1. Alex Maguire (Laytown and Bettystown) – 573
2. Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas) – 498
3. TJ Ford (Co. Sligo) – 430
4. Robert Moran (Castle) – 417
5. Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little) – 302
6. Sam Murphy (Portumna) – 287
7. Paul Conroy (Enniscorthy) – 275
8. Max Kennedy (Royal Dublin) – 267
9. David Kitt (Athenry) – 261
10. Charlie Denvir (Elm Park) – 236

• Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit – Standings