Kearney wins Titleist PGA Play-offs, earns Wentworth spot
Niall Kearney became the first Irishman to be crowned the PGA No 1 following his wire-to-wire victory in the Titleist PGA Play Offs in Turkey.
The Irish PGA champion rose to the occasion over the PGA Sultan Course at Antalya Golf Club with rounds of 65, 67 and a closing 67 to finish on 14-under-par – two shots clear of the pack.
His victory secured him his main aim of a place in next year’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, but also brought with it a place in the Great Britain & Ireland PGA Cup team and a cheque for £2,000.
Kearney, who won with his dad Joe on his bag and his mum Fiona watching from the sidelines, said: “It’s huge to be the No 1. I played really well all week. I led from day one which was difficult at times as I felt a bit of pressure, certainly today. My game was there and it was just one of those weeks.
“I’ve never played the BMW PGA Championship and that was my goal coming out here. It’s going to be a dream come true. I’ve watched it on TV every year and to be part of it is going to be a real treat. It’s massive and Shane Lowry, who I played a lot of golf with, has done so well around there. I’m looking forward to it and going to enjoy it – hopefully.
“I don’t know the full extent of the PGA Cup but it’s a top event and I’m delighted to have got in the team.”
Also celebrating was Channels PGA pro Jason Levermore, who finished runner-up on 12-under-par to cap a remarkable season. Just days after lifting the Golfplan PGA Pro-Captain title over the same course, he was also booking his place in the PGA Cup team and at Wentworth.
David Dixon (Enmore Park) completed the top three. The former European Tour winner finished on 11-under, earning him £1,200 but more importantly a long-awaited return to Wentworth and unexpected place in the GB&I PGA Cup team.
The 26-year-old Royal Dublin star added, "I played a number of times in region events back in Ireland and it’s been very good to me. It’s great I can come out here and play against the top guys from the regions and capture it.
"I’ve had a really good season. Played a lot of Challenge Tour stuff and made progress every year. I was positive and was able to play pro-Ams and in the PGA Sprint events when I was back home. I won the Irish Championship, headed the Order of Merit and then came out here and won this."
Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance) started the day two shots behind Kearney but carded a final round one over par 72 to slip down the leaderboard, finishing in fourth.
Michael McGeady's final round 68 moved him up to ninth overall, Michael McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) finished 20th on two over par, Damien Mooney (Ballyliffin) was 23rd on seven over with Brendan McGovern 25th on the same score.
| Pos | Player | TodayR3 | Thru | Total | R1 | R2 | R3 | Total | Points | Prize Fund | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Leaderboard | |||||||||||
| 1 |
Royal Dublin Golf Club |
-4 | F | -14 | 65 | 67 | 67 | 199 | £2,000.00 | ||
| 2 |
Channels Golf Club |
-6 | F | -12 | 68 | 68 | 65 | 201 | £1,500.00 | ||
| 3 |
Enmore Park Golf Club |
-5 | F | -11 | 68 | 68 | 66 | 202 | £1,200.00 | ||
| 4 |
Drive Golf Performance Ltd |
+1 | F | -7 | 67 | 67 | 72 | 206 | £1,000.00 | ||
| 5 |
Bridlington Links Golf & Leisu |
-1 | F | -6 | 68 | 69 | 70 | 207 | £850.00 | ||
| 6 |
PGolfCoaching@Pedham |
-1 | F | -5 | 71 | 67 | 70 | 208 | £750.00 | ||
| 7 |
Paul Lawrie Golf Centre |
+2 | F | -4 | 68 | 68 | 73 | 209 | £700.00 | ||
| 8 |
Lefthanded Golf at Silvermere |
-3 | F | -2 | 70 | 73 | 68 | 211 | £650.00 | ||
| 9 |
Foyle Golf Centre |
-3 | F | -1 | 73 | 71 | 68 | 212 | £500.00 | ||
| 10 |
Gt Yarmouth & Caister Golf Clu |
E | F | -1 | 72 | 69 | 71 | 212 | £500.00 | ||
| 11 |
Rothley Park Golf Club |
-1 | F | -1 | 72 | 70 | 70 | 212 | £500.00 | ||
| 12 |
St Kew Golf Club |
+1 | F | -1 | 69 | 71 | 72 | 212 | £500.00 | ||
| 13 |
Bulwell Forest Golf Club |
-4 | F | -1 | 74 | 71 | 67 | 212 | £500.00 | ||
| 14 |
Dunstable Downs Golf Club |
-2 | F | -1 | 70 | 73 | 69 | 212 | £500.00 | ||
| 15 |
Clydeway Golf |
+2 | F | E | 71 | 69 | 73 | 213 | £376.67 | ||
| 16 |
Kedleston Park Golf Club |
E | F | E | 69 | 73 | 71 | 213 | £376.67 | ||
| 17 |
Parc Golf Club/Asbri Golf |
+1 | F | E | 72 | 69 | 72 | 213 | £376.67 | ||
| 18 |
Paul Lawrie Golf Centre |
-3 | F | +1 | 75 | 71 | 68 | 214 | £340.00 | ||
| 19 |
The Rayleigh Club |
-3 | F | +2 | 74 | 73 | 68 | 215 | £321.67 | ||
| 20 |
Pure Golf Leopardstown |
-1 | F | +2 | 71 | 74 | 70 | 215 | £321.67 | ||
| 21 |
Abbeydale Golf Club |
+2 | F | +2 | 71 | 71 | 73 | 215 | £321.67 | ||
| 22 |
Oaks Golf Club |
+2 | F | +4 | 75 | 69 | 73 | 217 | £310.00 | ||
| 23 |
Nevada Bobs Belfast |
+5 | F | +7 | 73 | 71 | 76 | 220 | £285.00 | ||
| 24 |
Wessex Golf Centre |
+2 | F | +7 | 74 | 73 | 73 | 220 | £285.00 | ||
| 25 |
Headfort Golf Club |
+1 | F | +7 | 75 | 73 | 72 | 220 | £285.00 | ||
| 26 |
Mossock Hall Golf Club |
+6 | F | +10 | 73 | 73 | 77 | 223 | £250.00 | ||
| 27 |
Lee-on-The-Solent Golf Club |
+7 | F | +12 | 74 | 73 | 78 | 225 | £250.00 | ||
| 28 |
Troon Golf Management |
+7 | F | +21 | 79 | 77 | 78 | 234 | £250.00 | ||
