Pure Golf Leopardstown's Michael McDermott returned to the winners' circle at The Ruby Walsh Crumlin Hospital Research Pro-Am on Friday.

His four under par round of 68 at Athy gave him a two shot advantage over Fernhill golf and Country Club's Wayne O'Callaghan and Mullingar's James Quinlivan.

One of the day's early starters, McDermott made a shaky start with an opening hole bogey but he put that blip behind him with a birdie at the par five fourth to reach the turn in level par 37.

He stepped it up a gear on the back nine with birdies at the 11th, 12th, 15th and 18th as he came home in four under par 31. 

His 68 set a new pro record at the Co Kildare venue which was hosting a PGA in Ireland event for the very first time.

Second placed O'Callaghan and Quinlivan were left to rue late dropped shots. O'Callaghan was four under after 15 holes before dropping shots at the 16th and 17th while Quinlivan was four under after 11 but proceeded to drop shots at the 15th and 18th.

The next event on the PGA in Ireland Schedule is a Sprint event at Dundrum House on August 18th.
Liam Bowler guided his team to victory in the pro-am with 96 points

The Ruby Walsh Crumlin Hospital Research Pro-Am, Athy GC (Par 72)

Detailed scores

1 M McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) 68

T2 W O'Callaghan (Fernhill G&CC); J Quinlivan (Mullingar GC) 70

T4 S Wilson (Co Louth GC); E Brady (Clontarf GC); N Murray (Massereene GC) 71

T7 D Higgins (Waterville); J Bolger (Kilkenny GC); J Dignam (Slade Valley GC) 72

T10 L Bowler (Wexford GC); B Doheny 73

Team Scores

1 L Bowler 96

2 K Fahey 90

T3 D Ryan; S O'Sullivan 89