Higgins and Lernihan share top spot at Malahide
David Higgins. Picture: Niall O'Shea/Cork Golf News
Waterville's David Higgins and Elm Park's Dara Lernihan shared top spot at the Malahide Pro-Am on Friday.
The duo carded three under par rounds of 69 at the tournament which is supported by 1995 Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton and raises funds for the St Francis Hospice.
Five players tied for second. Gerry Burke (Royal Curragh), Damien McGrane, Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny), Michael McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) and Brendan McCarroll (Narin & Portnoo) all signing for rounds of one under 71.
Higgins carded six birdies in total, but also recorded a bogey at his opening hole of the day, the 10th and a double-bogey seven at the par five 18th.
Lernihan went to the turn in level par 36 with a bogey at the third offset by a birdie at the ninth.
He clicked into gear on the back nine, with birdies at the 11th, 13th, 14th and 17th but a bogey at the 18th saw him home in three under 33.
Shane Jenkinson (St Margaret's) guided his amateur partners to success in the team event with a stunning 97 points.
The two-day Heritage Challenge starts on Saturday. A prize fund of €50,000 has attracted 55 professionals to the event which will also support the charitable efforts of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.
A gala dinner and charity auction in aid of the Foundation will take place at the conclusion of play on Sunday. Items donated for auction include a fourball at Royal Pedrena Golf Club, a visit to the Seve trophy room in Seve’s house and a sculpture of Seve’s grip.
T1 David Higgins Waterville Golf Links-3F69
T1 Dara Lernihan Elm Park Golf Club-3F69
T3 Gerry Burke Royal Curragh Golf Club-1F71
T3 Damien McGrane-1F71
T3 Jimmy Bolger Kilkenny Golf Club-1F71
T3 Michael McDermott Pure Golf Leopardstown-1F71
T3 Brendan McCarroll Narin & Portnoo Golf Club-1F71
T8 Gary Chambers Killymoon Golf ClubEF72
T8 Peter Jones Coollattin Golf ClubEF72
T10 John Murray Malahide Golf Club+1F73
T10 Mark Whelan Castlewarden Golf & Country Cl+1F73
T10 Wayne O'Callaghan Fernhill Golf & Country Club+1F73
T10 Simon Thornton+1F73
T10 Mark Staunton Delgany Golf Club+1F73
T10 David Ryan Cahir Park Golf Club+1F73
T10 Noel Murray Massereene Golf Club+1F73
T10 Michael McGeady Foyle Golf Centre+1F73
T18 John Dwyer Ashbourne Golf Club+2F74
T18 Brendan Walton Island Golf Club+2F74
T18 Damian Mooney Nevada Bobs Belfast+2F74
T21 Andy Hogan Edmondstown Golf Club+3F75
T21 Brian Doheny Mount Juliet Golf Club+3F75
T21 Mark O'Mahony Titleist National Fitting Cent+3F75
T21 Brian McCormack Mullingar Golf Club+3F75
T21 Ciaran Molloy Blackwood Golf Centre+3F75
T21 Christopher Carvill Belvoir Park Golf Club+3F75
T21 Neil O'Briain Old Conna Golf Club+3F75
T21 Glen Robinson+3F75
T29 Patrick Devine Royal Dublin Golf Club+4F76
T29 Patrick Geraghty Druids Glen Golf Club+4F76
T29 Joe Dillon Headfort Golf Club+4F76
T29 Scott Wilson Co. Louth Golf Club+4F76
T33 Dan Hinds City of Derry Golf Club+5F77
T33 Tim Rice Limerick Golf Club+5F77
T33 Seamus Clinton+5F77
T36 Shane Franklin+6F78
T36 Colin Starrett GUI National Academy+6F78
T36 Mark Murphy McGuirks Golf+6F78
T36 Peter O'Hagan Luttrellstown Castle Golf Club+6F78
T36 Kenny Fahey GUI National Academy+6F78
T41 John Dignam Slade Valley Golf Club+7F79
T41 Daniel Beattie Deer Park Hotel Golf & Spa+7F79
T41 David Foley Dromoland Castle GC+7F79
44 Ross Young Carr Golf Centre at Spawell+8F80
T45 Philip Ring McGuirks Golf+9F81
T45 Shane Jenkinson St Margaret's Golf & Country C+9F81
47 Cormac Power St Helen's Bay Golf Club+10F82
T48 Mark Sutton Hollywood Lakes Golf Club+11F83
T48 Kevin McGrath Birr Golf Shop & Driving Range+11F83
50 Ian St.John Rush Golf Club+13F85
