Alex Maguire’s lead at the top of the Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit was cut after an exciting weekend at the West of Ireland Men’s Open in Co. Sligo GC.
The Laytown and Bettystown golfer did not compete in Rosses Point and knew he would remain top if TJ Ford finished outside the top-two at his home course. Co. Sligo’s Ford finished in seventh place, which saw him overtake Douglas’ Peter O’Keeffe and move into second spot.
Both Maguire and Ford secured their spots in the Ireland team for this month’s Home Internationals on the back of their performances in the Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit so far this season.
West of Ireland winner Hugh Foley moved up into a tie for fourth place, only 156 points behind Maguire. Foley began the tournament in 20th place but the win sees him move into contention with only two events remaining.
Liam Nolan’s tie for second place in Co. Sligo sees the Galway golfer move into the top-ten. Starting the week in 14th place, Nolan’s excellent final round of 66 saw him move up to seventh place.
Castleknock’s Paul Coughlan also moved into the top-ten courtesy of his T2 finish at the West. Now in eighth place, Coughlan began the week in 16th position.
Matthew McClean was the final player to jump into the top-10 on the back of his performance in Co. Sligo. The Malone golfer finished in fourth place at the West of Ireland and that weekend saw him climb seven spots to tenth place in the Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit with Athenry’s David Kitt in ninth.
The penultimate event on the Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit schedule is the Munster Stroke Play Championship in Cork GC on October 2nd and 3rd.
Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit (Current Standings)
1. Alex Maguire (Laytown and Bettystown) – 573
2. TJ Ford (Co. Sligo) – 505
3. Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas) – 498
T4. Hugh Foley (Royal Dublin) – 417
T4. Robert Moran (Castle) – 417
6. Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little) – 372
7. Liam Nolan (Galway) – 365
8. Paul Coughlan (Castleknock) – 346
9. David Kitt (Athenry) – 324
10. Matthew McClean (Malone) – 300
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