Mark Staunton soared more than 40 places to third on the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with Ping after sealing a one-shot victory winning the Irish Club Professionals’ Tournament at Dundalk.

Staunton laid the basis of victory with a four-under-par 68 in Wednesday’s opening round and added a level par 72 second time out to finish one stroke clear of Glen Robinson with Robert Giles a further stroke adrift.

In the first round, Staunton carded a bogey-free four-under but second time out it was somewhat different as he made four birdies which were wiped out by four bogeys.

On the outward run, the former PGA Ulster champion made birdie threes at the second and eighth holes but mis-cued for bogey five at the fourth to turn in one-under-35. He was back to regulation when he bogeyed the long 10th hole but then birdied the par five 12th.

A bogey four at 13 and a bogey five at 15 sent him one over again for the day but after a true five iron to the 17th green he rolled in the putt for birdie two for a back nine of 37 (one over) and level par for the day to avoid a play-off with Robinson.

Robert Giles of Greenore finished in third place on two under.

Staunton said: “Things are looking up. Another win for foreIreland.com, but only just! After Wednesday’s round of 68 on a tricky day, it was always going to be hard to follow it up with one as good. And that turned out to be true.

“After a good par save on the first and a tap in birdie on the second, I thought it was going to be plain sailing. However I’d forgotten how it feels to be in contention and the nerves nearly got the better of me.

“I was steady enough for nine holes and turned one under. It got a little messy from there in. A few missed putts and ropey tee shots meant I was one over with three to go, and only for a birdie on seventeen it could have slipped away. The hard work of Wednesday was just enough to ensure the cup would have foreIreland on it!”

“Mixed emotions again this week. I was disappointed that today’s golf wasn’t as good as it should be, but obviously delighted at the quality of the first round and another win for the season.”

Clontarf’s Eamonn Brady continues to lead the Order of Merit from David Mortimer with Staunton now ranked third. 

2010 PGA Irish Region

18TH PGA IRISH CLUB PRO (Prizefund €12,000)

DUNDALK GOLF CLUB

9th- 10th June 2010

Final Result

Pos. Score -Par+ Name Represents R1 R2 GBP Card

1 140 -4 Mark Staunton (IRE) www.foreireland.com 68 72 1,200.00 »»

2 141 -3 Glen Robinson (IRE) St Helen’s Bay Golf Club 73 68 1,100.00 »»

3 142 -2 Robert Giles (ENG) Greenore 73 69 950.00 »»