Murray masters windy conditions at Galway Bay
Galway Bay Golf Resort
Massereene's Noel Murray grabbed his first win since July at the Galway Bay Golf Resort Pro-Am on Thursday.
The Belfast man showed real resolve in windy conditions to fire a level par round of 72 at the Christy O'Connor Jnr designed links course.
The 24-year-old struggled in the early stages of his round, dropping shots at the second, fifth and sixth. He had to wait until the par four ninth to collect his first birdie of the day but followed up with two more at the 12th and 14th to reach level par.
A dropped shot at the par three 15th set him back but he righted the ship with a birdie at the par five 16th and parred his way in to collect the title. Edmondstown's Andy Hogan and Old Conna's Neil O'Briain finished tied for second on two over par.
Connemara professional, Hugh O'Neill, guided his amateur partners to victory in the team event with 90 points.
Former Amateur Champion, Brian McElhinney, recorded an hole-in-one at the 15th.
Friday's event is the Oughterard Pro-Am.
Galway Bay Golf Resort Pro-Am, Galway Bay Resort (Par 72)
1 N Murray (Massereene GC) 72
T2 A Hogan (Edmondstown GC); N O'Briain (Old Conna GC) 74
T4 S Cannon (Athenry GC); G Dunlea (Monkstown GC) 75
T6 C Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance); M Staunton (Delgany GC); R Giles (Greenore GC) 76
T9 D Higgins (Waterville GC); Dermot O'Neill 77
Team Pro-Am
1 H O'Neill (Connemara GC) 90
2 D Higgins (Waterville GC) 85
