David Higgins retained the PGA Irish Order of Merit when he fired a seven under par 65 at the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING and Failte Ireland.

The Kerry ace finished top of the domestic money list with 46,038 points after picking up a cool €14,000 for the win - €4,000 for the tournament proper and a €10,000 bonus.

The former European Tour star, 37, also secured his place in next season’s PGA Championship at Wentworth and a spot in the starting line up at the 3 Irish Open.
 
Just €200 clear of Irish PGA champion David Mortimer at the top of the Order of Merit starting the day, the Waterville pro went into the turn in one-under par before blowing his rivals away with six birdies on the back nine at the stunning Jack Nicklaus design.

Big-hitting Belfast man Damien Mooney fired a 69 to finish second on three-under par with six players tied for third place on one-under.

Colin Donovan, General Manager of Mount Juliet Estate said: “On behalf of Mount Juliet I wish to congratulate David Higgins on his success here today.  This has been a wonderful festival of golf and few could have predicted such a dramatic finish to the season when we launched the competition back in April.”
 
Michael McCumiskey, Secretary of the Irish PGA, added: “This has been a fitting climax to what has been a fantastic season for Irish professionals.  It is a credit to all involved at Mount Juliet that we had such an immaculate setting for our season finale and we look forward to 2011 and the return of the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING and Failte Ireland.”