Robert Moran shot a closing six-under 66 to climb into solo fifth place at the Alps Tour’s Gösser Open in Austria, two shots ahead of compatriot Ronan Mullarney who carded a 69 and shared sixth.
Moran began the day four shots off the lead and knew he’d need to produce something special if he was to overhaul the leaders and kept a clean card throughout, mixing three birdies on the front with a further three on the back to climb to -15 and into sole possession of fifth place, two shouts outside a playoff but two ahead of his nearest challengers.
Mullarney, who won this event back in 2023, was just three back starting his final round and a birdie-birdie start was just what the doctor ordered. He couldn’t build on the fast start, however, and parred the next nine holes before dropping a shot on 12. Two further birdies on 13 and 14 left a glimmer of hope, nut another bogey on 15 effectively killed his chances and though he’d pick up another shot on the closing stretch, he had to settle for a share of sixth.
Michael Young, the only other Irishman to make the cut, closed out with a level-par 72 to finish tied for 30th.
Spain’sJorge Maicascaptured the title following a two-hole sudden-death playoff. The Spaniard sealed the win with a birdie on the first playoff hole and a steady par on the second, edging out fellow Spaniard Asier Aguirre Izcue and Austria’s Timon Baltl. after the trio finished tied at 17 under-par. France’s Victor Trehet delivered the low round of the day, a flawless, bogey-free 9 under-par, 63 featuring one eagle and seven birdies to secure his fourth place.
Mullarney climbs to eighth in the Alps Tour Order of Merit Rankings, while Moran takes a leap to 14th to keep their hopes alive of graduation to the HotelPlanner Tour for 2026.
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