Ambitious Murray heads qualifiers for PGA Assistants' Championship

County Meath Golf Club, Trim

Noel Murray has promised to take a more aggressive approach to this year’s Galvin Green PGA Assistants’ Championship final after winning the Irish qualifying event in Trim.

The Massereene assistant topped the Irish qualifiers for the second year running at County Meath Golf Club where he carded a two under 71 to win by a shot from Old Conna's Neil O'Briain and Galway's Patrick Small.

The trio will join 11 other qualifiers in the £32,500 Grand Final to be held at Coventry Golf Club from August 5-7.

It will be Murray’s third visit to the West Midlands venue and he is looking to improve again after finishing 19th in 2013 and securing a top 10 place last year.

“I definitely want to finish higher again,” said Murray. “It’s the kind of course where I know I’ll have to take a few chances and I won’t be afraid to do that.If you’re going to win at Coventry you’re going to have to shot 12 to 16 under par. You just have to go there and do it.

“I know the venue now and I know there are chances to be had. I plan to play more aggressive golf this time.”

Murray has been working on his swing with Dungannon-based coach Chris Jelly and says the work is paying dividends.

“By the time Coventry comes around I hope I’ll have any problems ironed out,” said the 24-year old final year PGA trainee. “I’ve been working with Chris for a couple of years and he’s helped my game a lot.”

Murray repeated his victory of 12 months ago at the Trim venue, but he admitted it was not easy.

“It was wet and made life difficult and I had a couple of bogeys on the back nine. But I was happy to win and qualify for the final again,” he said.

David Barry (Douglas GC) and Shane McCabe (Killeen GC) edged out David Allen (Roe Park) in a play-off for the final two qualifying spots on offer after round of 80.

Galvin Green PGA Assistants Championship Ireland, Co Meath (Par 73) 

Qualifiers

1 Noel Murray (Massereene) 71

T2 Neil O'Briain (Old Conna) 72

T2 Patrick Small (Galway) 72

4 B McCormack (Galway) 74

T5 P Duff (Black Bush) 76

T5 K Shannon 76

7 C McKenna (Mallow) 77

T8 I Brennan (Greenore) 78

T8 S McCarthy (Black Bush) 78

T8 S Cannon (Athenry) 78

T8 C Crangle (Fortwilliam) 78

12 B Carroll (Elm Park) 79

T13 S McCabe (Killeen) 80

T13 D Barry (Douglas) 80