Irish Golf Desk

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O'Briain jets off with Etihad Airways Pro-Am at Malahide

Neil O'Briain during last year's Irish PGA at Roganstown. Picture: Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie

Neil O'Briain carded a three under par 67 to win the Etihad Airways Malahide Pro-Am on Friday.

The Old Conna GC professional finished the tournament, which is supported by Philip Walton, two shots ahead of Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin GC) and Damien Mooney (Ballyliffin).

This is O'Briain's second victory this year – he won the Etihad Airways PGA Sprint event at The European Club back in April – and follows a second place finish at the PGA Irish Club Professional Pro-Am at Arklow GC.

O'Briain dropped a shot at the par four second but responded immediately with a birdie at the par three third on his way to a level par front nine. He began his back nine with four straight pars before rattling off a run of three birdies at 14, 15 and 16 which edged him ahead of the field.

The team pro-am competition ended in a tie between Scott Wilson (Co Louth GC) and Mooney who both recorded scores of 89 points.

Etihad Airways Malahide Pro-Am — Supported by Philip Walton

Leading scores

1 Neil O'Briain (Old Conna GC) -3 67

2 Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin GC) -1, Damian Mooney (Ballyliffin GC) - 1 69

4 John Dwyer (Ashbourne GC) E,  Brendan McGovern (Headfort GC) E, John Kelly (St Margaret's Golf & CC) E  70

7 Mark Whelan (Castlewarden Golf & CC) +1 71

8 Brian McElhinney (Foyle Golf Centre) +2,  Donal Gleeson (Old Conna GC) +2,  Patrick Devine (Royal Dublin GC) +2, Wayne O'Callaghan (Fernhill Golf & CC) +2, Peter Jones (Coollattin GC) +2 72

Team Scores

1 Scott Wilson 89, Damian Mooney 89

3 John Kelly 88, Donal Gleeson 88, David Ryan 88

6 Patrick Geraghty 86, David Ruddy 86

8 John Dwyer 85, Mark O'Mahony 85, Michael McDermott 85