Bolger bags PGA Irish Club Professional title

Jimmy Bolger

Jimmy Bolger produced a back nine charge to win the JustGolf.ie PGA Irish Club Professional Tournament at Dunmurry Springs GC on Friday.

Trailing overnight leader David Higgins (Waterville GC) by two shots at the start of play, the Kilkenny GC professional fired a three under par 68 to win by two at the Co. Kildare venue.

“The back nine was good today, I was four under for the last eight,” said Bolger who entered the tournament on the back of a win at the Luttrellstown Pro-Am.

“The truth is I have finally realised you have to hit the shots you are able to hit – you can't always win beautifully, you just have to win.

“I'm playing well, putting better. I didn't drive the ball very well today but I am driving it better. In general, I had it on a string for the last couple of days.”

Playing in the final threeball alongside Higgins and Joe Dillon (Headfort), Bolger dropped a shot at the first but steadied the ship to reach the turn in one over 37. In contrast, both Higgins (+3) and Dillon (+5) struggled to the turn, effectively dropping out of the running.

“I hit a few loose tee shots on the front nine and found a few fairway bunkers but I hit some great shots out of them and lipped out with a few putts,” added Jimmy.

“I stayed patient, as you have to be, and on the back nine I hit a few good shots and capitalised on them.”

The 48-year-old birdied the 11th, 13th, 14th and 17th to come home in four under 31.

Michael McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown), Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance Ltd) and Daniel Beattie (Deer Park Hotel) finished tied for second with McDermott carding a best of the day round of six under 65.

“I had never played Dunmurry Springs before but I was impressed. It is a lovely layout and the course was in great condition,” added the winner.

“It suited me right down to the ground, even having a couple of left to right tee shots which I like to hit. A special thanks also to the sponsors, JustGolf.ie, who helped to put on a first class event.”

JustGolf.ie PGA Irish Club Professional Tournament, Dunmurry Springs (Par 71)

Leading scores

1 J Bolger (Kilkenny GC) 69/68 (137)

T2 M McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) 74/65; C Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance) 70/69; D Beattie (Deer Park Hotel) 70/69 (139)

5 D Higgins (Waterville GC) 67/73 (140)

T6 C Curley (Royal Tara GC) 71/70; N Murray (Massereene GC) 69/72 (141)

T8 M Whelan (Castlewarden G&CC) 73/71; B McGovern (Headfort GC) 72/72; T Rice (Limerick GC) 71/73 (144)