Jake Whelan and Iarlaith Keane in the winner's enclosure at Portmarnock Links
Newlands' Jake Whelan in action. Picture by Pat Cashman
Newlands' Jake Whelan might have finished with three bogeys but he still posted a one-over 72 to win the gross in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links.
Playing off plus two, the Leinster interprovincial went out in one-under par and while he got to two-under with three to play, his untidy finish did not stop him taking the gross by three shots from Mullingar professional James Quinlivan, whose 75 edged out international Paula Grant on countback.
Overall victory might have gone to professional Iarlaith Keane, who was one-under par standing on the 18th tee but finished with a quadruple bogey eight.
He was still smiling afterwards as his 74 gave him the best nett prize by a stroke from Malahide's Manuel Alvarez.
The 48-strong field played into a stiff northerly wind on the back nine and with no snow to trouble them, there were some gritty performances such as a 79 by four-handicapper Gavin Keogh
Playing off two, Alvarez followed his overall nett win three weeks ago with another prize-winning performance, going out in three-over par before coming home in 38 despite bogeys at the 14th, 17th and 18th.
TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Men - Par 71, SSS 75, CSS 77/Ladies - Par71 SSS 73 CSS 75)
Nett
- Iarlaith Keane (Pro) Unattached 74
- Manuel Alvarez (2) Malahide 75
Gross
- Jake Whelan (+2) Newlands 72
- James Quinlivan (Pro) Mullingar 75.
