Irish PGA: Rice leads by three from Moriarty at Moyvalley
Tim Rice. Picture: Getty Images
The 107th Irish PGA Championship looks like a two-horse race after Limerick's Tim Rice and Drive Golf Performance's Colm Moriarty separated themselves from the field heading into Sunday's final round at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort.
The pair matched each other blow for blow over the Twin Oaks course at the Co Kildare venue on Saturday, signing for a pair of 68's, three shots better than anyone else in the field.
Rice leads the way by three shots from Moriarty on 15 under par with defending champion, Damien McGrane, third on five under.
“I'm happy enough, the only problem was that I couldn't shake yer man here,” said Rice, pointing to Moriarty.
“It was a bit up and down over the front nine, but the back nine was a bit easier, much the same as the last couple of days.”
Moriarty is back in very familiar territory. The 38-year-old has featured in the final group at the last two Irish PGA Championships and has yet to get over the finishing line.
“All in all I'm happy because Tim is playing very well,” said Colm.
“It would be nice to narrow the gap early on but you just have to keep playing and giving yourself chances.”
McGrane's challenge was hampered by a calf injury he suffered at the first hole. The Kells man limped for the rest of the round, eventually signing for a level par 72.
Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick, third overnight, slipped down the field following a third round two over 74.
Moyvalley Twin Oaks 107th Irish PGA Championship, Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort (Par 72)
201 Tim Rice (Limerick GC) 66 67 68
204 Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance Ltd) 66 70 68
211 Damien McGrane (Unatt.) 70 69 72
212 David Higgins (Waterville Golf Links) 70 69 73, Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge GC) 66 72 74
214 David Ryan (Cahir Park GC) 71 69 74
215 Mark O’Mahony (Titleist National Fitting Centre) 76 68 71, Mark Whelan (Castlewarden Golf & CC) 67 76 72
216 Eddie Tracey Ballina Golf Club 72 72 72, Keith Shannon 71 73 72, Michael McGeady (Seamus Duffy Golf Academy) 70 73 73, Simon Thornton (Simon Thornton Golf) 70 72 74
217 Shane Jenkinson (St Margaret’s Golf & CC) 70 74 73, Mark Staunton (Delgany GC) 72 72 73
218 Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC) 71 73 74
219 Brian O’Reilly (Glenlo Abbey GC) 72 76 71, Adam Dunmore (Bundoran GC) 70 73 76
220 Daniel Beattie (Deer Park Hotel Golf & Spa) 76 71 73, Tara Delaney (The Eddie Doyle Golf Academy) 72 74 74, Joe Dillon (Headfort GC) 72 74 74, Damian Mooney (Damian Mooney Golf) 72 73 75
221 Jerry Scullion (Kilkeel GC) 68 79 74, Hazel Kavanagh (Carr Golf Centre at Spawell) 72 75 74, Harry Coyne (Carton House Golf Course) 74 72 75
222 Eoin Arthurs Kinsealy (Grange Golf Academy) 72 77 73, Mark O’Sullivan (Piltown Driving Range) 72 76 74, Ted Higgins (www.tedhiggins.com) 73 74 75, Donal Gleeson (Old Conna GC) 71 75 76
223 Conor Coyne (Lisheen Springs GC) 76 75 72, Liam Whelan (Craddockstown GC) 72 76 75
224 Eoin O’Connor (Kilkenny GC) 76 74 74, Ciaran Molloy (Ardee GC) 76 73 75, Brian McCormack Jnr (Edenderry Golf Academy) 74 74 76, Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny GC) 73 74 77
225 Kenny Fahey (GUI National Academy) 77 74 74, Anthony Hanlon (Stackstown GC) 74 76 75, Michael O’Shea (Rathsallagh GC) 76 72 77, Michael McDermott (Grange GC) 74 74 77
226 Christopher Carvill (Belvoir Park GC) 73 78 75, David Barry (Douglas GC) 74 76 76, Glen Robinson (Craddockstown GC) 76 74 76, Gerry Burke (Royal Curragh GC) 76 74 76, Bernard Quigley (Tullamore GC) 73 75 78, Eamonn Brady (Clontarf GC) 73 74 79
227 Padraig Dooley (Drive Golf Performance Ltd) 77 73 77, Mark Ruddy (Charlesland G&CC) 75 75 77, Brian Doheny (Callan GC) 75 75 77
229 Shane Franklin (Cregmore Park GC) 77 74 78, Ciaran Lavery (Concra Wood GC) 76 74 79, David Foley (Dromoland Castle GC) 78 72 79, Dean Redmond (Heritage Golf & C Club) 76 73 80
230 Kevin Foy (Stepaside Golf Centre) 73 77 80
231 Niall McGlynn (GUI National Academy) 74 76 81.
