McGrane makes it four in a row at Royal Curragh
Damien McGrane maintained his remarkable PGA pro-am record at Royal Curragh on Thursday.
The Carlow GC professional won the Newbridge Silverware sponsored event for the fourth time in a row although on this occasion, he was forced to share top billing with Joe Dillon (Headfort GC).
The duo posted rounds of five under par 67 to finish one shot ahead of Michael McGeady (Evolve Golf Coaching).
McGrane has played sparingly this season, concentrating instead on his role at Carlow, but it seems that Royal Curragh always brings out his best.
The 47-year-old dropped a shot on the fourth but collected four birdies on the front nine as he went to the turn in three under 34.
He continued his smooth progress on the back nine, adding birdies at the 12th, 14th and 18th with his second bogey of the day coming at the par four 17th.
In contrast, Joe relied on a brilliant back nine to join McGrane at the head of affairs. Starting at the 10th, his front nine had a little bit everything, including back to back eagles at the 12th and 13th. He also collected a double-bogey, and three further bogeys as he went to the turn in one over 36.
His back nine was a completely different story as he picked up six birdies in a bogey-free run that helped him to the top of the leaderboard alongside McGrane.
The team event was won by Hazel Kavanagh (Impact Golf at Leopardstown) and her amateur partners with a superb score of 102pts.
Royal Curragh Pro-Am, Sponsored by Newbridge Silverwareat Curragh GC (Par 72)
67 D McGrane (Carlow GC), J Dillon (Headfort GC)
68 M McGeady (Evolve Golf Coaching)
69 D Higgins (Waterville Golf Links), R Kilpatrick (Banbridge GC)