O'Briain continues red-hot summer form at Slieve Russell
Neil O’Briain
Neil O’Briain's remarkable run of good form continued today on Tuesday when he successfully defended the 36-hole Slieve Russell Masters Pro-Am.
The Old Conna professional has racked up four victories in June during his hot spell and is now a genuine contender to top the order of merit rankings at the end of the year.
Trailing overnight leader Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge) by five shots following an opening round 72, the 29-year-old finished in a blaze of glory to win by two.
He made a steady if unspectacular start to his round, reaching the turn in one under par 35, a bogey at the third, cancelled out by birdies at the fifth and sixth.
Neil reeled off three pars after turning for home but then his round caught fire and he played the last six holes in three under par with birdies at the 13th, 15th, 17th and 18th offset by a dropped shot at the par three 16th.
While Kilpatrick's challenge faded with a second round 77, O'Briain was the only player in the field to break 70 on day two.
Ciaran Molloy (Blackwood Golf Centre) guided his amateur partners to success in the team event with 177 points over the two days of competition.
The next event on the PGA in Ireland circuit is the Beaverstown Pro-Am on July 2.
Slieve Russell Masters Pro-Am, Slieve Russell Golf & Country Club (Par 72)
1 N O'Briain (Old Conna GC) -4 72 68 (140)
T2 M Staunton (Delgany GC) E 68 76 (144)
T2 J Dignam (Slade Valley GC) E 72 72 (144)
T2 J Dillon (Headfort GC) E 74 70 (144)
T2 N Murray (Massereene GC) E 74 70 (144)
T2 R Kilpatrick (Banbridge GC) E 67 77 (144)
T2 S Thornton (Unattached) E 70 74 (144)
T8 C Molloy (Blackwood Golf C) +1 73 72 (145)
T8 D Higgins (Waterville Golf Links) +1 74 71 (145)
T8 D Ryan (Cahir Park GC) +1 72 73 (145)
