McCabe and Walton take spoils as just four survive Links lashing

PGA professional Brendan Walton has joined the team at Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

AJ McCabe got off to a winning start as horrific conditions saw just four players finish the first TaylorMade Winter Series outing of the season at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

Driving rain and north winds gusting up to 59mph made life hell of the early starters in the 42-strong field but plus-two handicapper McCabe took advantage of a lull in conditions.

He teed off at 11.30 am and shot a three-over-par 74 to win the nett with a brilliant 76.

Out in one-over-par, he made three heroic birdies on the way home with the pick of them a three-wood to two feet at the 18th.

PGA professional Brendan Walton, who has recently taken up a new role at The Links, was lashed by the worst of the weather in the first group of the day and still won the gross with a 79.

Out in level par after starting with three threes, he came home in eight over par with a birdie on the par-five 13th cancelled out by a bogey at the 10th, a triple bogey at the 12th and back-to-back double bogeys at the 15th and 16th.

Each player received a complimentary sleeve of TaylorMade TP5 balls from the sponsors.

TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71; CSS 78)

October 1

Nett: 1, AJ McCabe (+2) The Links Portmarnock 76

Gross: 1, Brendan Walton (Pro) The Links Portmarnock 79

Next outing: October 8