Kearney wins by two at Milltown

Niall Kearney

Royal Dublin's Niall Kearney fired a six under par 65 to win the Milltown Pro-Am on Sunday.

The former Irish PGA champion finished two shots clear of Headfort's Joe Dillon,  Tulfarris's Simon Thornton and Grange professional Michael McDermott.

“The first three holes it was lashing rain, and it looked like it was on for the day but it eased off thankfully,” said the 30-year-old.

“I had never played Milltown. I was out there watching the Senior Cup a few years ago, so I was looking forward to it. It's a beautiful bit of land and a course with lots of character and an old-fashioned feel.

"I played well and really enjoyed it. Sometimes I enjoy playing a course blind because you are not really sure where a lot of the trouble is. That makes me relax a bit more."

Kearney made the most of the conditions, and with the greens becoming more receptive after the early rain, he made six birdies in a bogey-free round.

"It is the kind of course that if you are driving it well, you can make life very easy for yourself," he added.

"I drove it really well and found most fairways so I was hitting a lot of wedges. I actually walked off feeling that I left a few out there and I thought someone might go really low."

There was more success for Royal Dublin in the team event when professional Brian McCormack guided his amateur partners, Ellen Dunleavy, Isabel Walsh and Onagh Fitzgerald to victory with 93 points.

Milltown Pro-Am, Milltown Golf Club (Par 71)

Detailed scores

65 Niall Kearney (Royal Dublin GC)

67 Joe Dillon (Headfort GC), Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort), Michael McDermott (Grange GC)

68 Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge GC), Ciaran Molloy (Ardee GC), David Ryan (Cahir Park GC).