PGA backtracks on Titleist Play-Offs; Shaw scare; Power fades

The PGA Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club will host the Titleist PGA Play-Offs from November 29 to December 1

Irish Region PGA — The PGA has done a U-turn and added Michael McDermott, Brendan McGovern and Damian Mooney to the field for the Titleist PGA Play-Offs in Turkey at the end of this month.

The decision to change the rules and give Ireland's top three place from the Order of Merit to TP Category players Niall Kearney, Michael McGeady and Colm Moriarty caused outrage among the members of the PGA Irish Region, who had assumed they were ineligible to claim the Top 3 spots available from the Order of Merit until The Belfry intervened.

Frantic behind-the-scenes activity — it's unclear if legal action was threatened — appears to have worked in the short term.

A meeting of the committee of the Southern Branch of the PGA on what further action is required is likely over the coming days.

No-one from the Irish Region is empowered to comment on a decision that has been handed down from Headquarters at The Belfry and all may become clear following the next scheduled meeting of the Irish PGA Region in Dundalk on November 28.

Just who will be considered eligible for next year's Irish Open at Royal County Down with TP category players traditionally considered ineligible for the eight spots awarded by the European Tour is also up in the air.

Challenge Tour — Gareth Shaw needs a solid week in Oman to seal his place in the Second Stage of Q-School next week but having found himself in contention after a first round 68, he did well to make the cut.

A second round 79 almost proved disastrous but he mad the weekend in the National Bank of Oman Classic with a shot to spare on three over.

Shaw is just over €300 outside the Top 90 in the Challenge Tour Rankings who are exempt into PQ2 and with at least €805 now in the bank this week, he looks safe. A top two finish would qualify Shaw for the Challenge Tour Grand Final next week but after the scare of Friday, a place at PQ2 probably feels like a decent return.

eGolf Professional Tour — A late triple bogey six badly damaged Seamus Power's chances of a big pay day in the $250,000 Championship at Red Hawk in Nevada.

The West Waterford man took six at the 241-yard  17th on the Lakes Course and carded a one over 73 that relegated him to 37th on eight under, 11 strokes behind leader Justin Peters. Scores