Clandeboye’s Nicky Grant overcame Ryan Gribben in a playoff to win the PGA in Ireland Open Series in Douglas Golf Club.
Both players were tied on seven-under-par after 36 holes but it was Grant who prevailed on the first extra hole of a sudden death playoff.
Grant shot rounds of 67 and 66 to hit the front before a blistering final round 64 saw Naas professional Gribben catch him after opening with a round of 69.
Sharing third place were Colm Moriarty and Simon Thornton on five-under-par while Liam Power, Steven Quinlan, Damian Mooney, Michael McDermott and Jimmy Bolger all shared fifth place on two-under.
Gribben who has a chance to win the CTI Business Solutions Assistants Championship this week was pleased to share the lead with Grant having dropped just two shots all week and was without a bogey from the fifth on day one as he shot a bogey-free 64.
“Very happy yeah, same as Carne, no practice round so I was very happy with one-under in the first round. I had a mate of mine caddy for me in round one he showed me where to go and in round two it helped.
“Sixteen and definitely the last were very important. They changed the course from a par 72 to a par 70 so the last is usually a par five, a tricky flag and hit a good 7-iron to three feet and tapped it in. I hadn’t been looking at the scores but I knew I had to get the putt to get to seven and it was the same as Nicky.
“Held a few par putts that were more crucial than the birdies. Held a big putt for par on the first and if that doesn’t go in maybe the round goes slightly different but other than that I putted really well. I was solid all round the course suits me it’s what I grew up with in Warrenpoint, treelined and tight with small greens so I was comfortable.”
Scoring HERE
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