Mooney chasing Wentworth return after nine-year absence

Sultan of swing. Damian Mooney in full flow. Picture: Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ie

Ballyliffin’s Damian Mooney shot a second round 70 in the Titleist PGA Play-Offs in Turkey to keep his hopes alive of a first appearance in the BMW PGA Championship since 2004.

The Top-10 finishers at Antalya Golf Club’s Sultan Course following Monday’s third round win the right to tee it up in the European Tour’s flagship event at Wentworth from May 22-25. Scores

Mooney’s one-under par effort moved him up to 12th place on one-over, just two shots outside the Top-10.

St Margaret’s John Kelly is tied for 15th on three over after a 75 with Foyle Golf Centre’s Brian McElhinney, the former British Amateur champion, a shot further back after a 70.

The top-three will make the PGA Cup team to do battle with the US as well as several other European Tour events.

But that looks like a big challenge for the Irish threesome with England’s Matt Ford (67) leading by a shot on nine under from compatriot Matthew Cort (68) with Scots Chris Kelly (68) and Greig Hutcheon (70) tied for third on five under.

Ford  has set himself the target of a top two finish at Antalya Golf Club to secure the tour starts he craves.

“I didn’t play quite as well, tee to green the stats weren’t as good as yesterday, certainly for the first six holes when I was one over,” he said.

“There were a few things in there that I wasn’t happy with swing wise so I’ll head to the range to sort that out. I think I was a little tense to start with but those birdies settled me down.”