Rice takes three shot lead into the weekend at Moyvalley

Limerick’s Tim Rice edged ahead of the field with a superb five under par 67 on the second day of the 107th Irish PGA Championship at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort.

With blustery conditions whipping showers across the Twin Oaks course the 40-year-old produced a composed display which, given the conditions, was every bit as good as his opening 66.
Starting at the 10th, the Limerick GC man went to the turn in one under par 35, with birdies at the 10th, 13th and 14th undone by dropped shots at the 16th and 17th.
He made no mistakes on his back nine, coming back in four under 36 with birdies at the second, fourth, sixth and eighth.
“In many ways it was very similar to the opening round. There are plenty of chances out there,” said Tim.
“I have been hitting it quite close; I’m not missing many greens and I’m making the most of the par fives.”

Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance) finds himself in familiar territory at an Irish PGA Championship, three shots back with two rounds remaining. The 38-year-old, joint leader after round one, followed up with a second round 70.
Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge GC), who also opened with a bogey-free round of 66 slipped five shots behind Rice following a second round 72.
“I didn’t play great today to be honest. Plus I got a few horrible lies,” said Richard.
“Yesterday I got a few breaks but today I didn’t get them – that was the difference.
“Still I’m in touch I will go away and do a bit of work tonight on the long game because I’m just not finding enough fairways.”

Defending champion Damien McGrane is six shots back after a second round 69, a figure matched by David Higgins (Waterville Links).
The cut fell at +7 with 53 players making it through to the final two days of competition on Saturday and Sunday. The opening two-ball will begin from the first tee on Saturday at 8am.
The leading trio of Kilpatrick, Moriarty and Rice kick off their third round at 10.50am.

Moyvalley Twin Oaks 107th Irish PGA Championship
Sponsored by Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort
The Twin Oaks Course (Par 72)
Leading Scores
1          Tim Rice  (Limerick GC)                                                 66/67                          133            (-11)
2          Colm Moriarty  (Drive Golf Performance Ltd)         66/70                          136            (-8)
3          Richard Kilpatrick  (Banbridge GC)                             66/72                          138            (-6)
T4        Damien McGrane                                                           70/69                          139
T4        David Higgins  (Waterville Golf Links)                        70/69                          139
6          David Ryan  (Cahir Park GC)                                        71/69                          140
7          Simon Thornton  (Simon Thornton Golf)                  70/72                          142
T8        Mark Whelan (Castlewarden Golf & CC)                 67/76                          143
T8        Michael McGeady  (Seamus Duffy Golf Acd)          70/73                          143