Thornton reigns at Balmoral
Fred Daly with the Claret Jug in 1947
Simon Thornton fired a course record six under par 63 at Balmoral to win the Fred Daly Memorial Pro-Am sponsored by Holiday Inn Belfast.
Thornton finished tied for 16th at the NI Open Challenge Tour event last Sunday and left the tournament convinced his game was starting to come around.
The 38-year-old proved it today at the Belfast venue, going to the turn in two under 33 with birdies at the first and seventh. He reached three under for the day with another birdie at the 10th before polishing off his round in emphatic style with birdies at the 16th, 17th and 18th.
The in-form Neil O'Briain (Old Conna) was Simon's closest challenger, signing for a mistake free three under par 66. Belfast boys Peter Martin (Colin Park GC) and Gary Wardlow (Spa) finished tied for third on two under par.
The PGA in Ireland Order of Merit leader Eamonn Brady was left to rue a quadruple-bogey nine at the par five 16th. Brady was six under at the time but unfortunately hit two balls out of bounds.
Glen Robinson partnered his amateur team to success in the pro-am event, finishing with 89 points.
A special mention to amateur Terry Gilmore who had a hole in one at the 11th, and Harry Larkin who won the LowCard Fuel.ie prize for finishing nearest the pin at the 13th.
Fred Daly Memorial Pro-Am, Sponsored by Holiday Inn Belfast, Balmoral GC (Par 63)
- 1 S Thornton (Team Ireland) 63
- 2 N O'Briain (Old Conna GC) 66
- T3 P Martin (Colin Park GC); G Wardlow (Spa GC) 67
- T5 E Brady (Clontarf GC); J Bolger (Kilkenny GC); S Donnelly (Castle Hume GC) 68
- T8 J Dwyer (Asbourne GC); G Robinson; M McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) 69
Team scores
- 1 G Robinson 89
- T2 P Martin; E Brady 87
