Irish Golf Desk

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McCabe and Cervenka on top in TaylorMade Winter Series

Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links

Portmarnock Links' AJ McCabe continued his incredible run of form by winning the gross in the TaylorMade Winter Series in wind and rain at the north Dublin links.

The plus-three handicapper finished in the prizes for the fifth time from as many attempts when he carded a one-under 70 to win the gross by four shots from Monkstown professional Cian McNamara.

The only player in the 60-strong field to break par, he mixed bogeys at the first, third and fourth with birdies at the second and fifth to go out in one-over.

He then birdied the 12th, 14th and the 16th and dropped just one shot on the testing par-three 17th to come home in two-under for his 71

McNamara went out in four-over-par as he made back to back sevens at the par-five fourth and par-four fifth.

But after getting a shot back with a birdie at the ninth, he made eight pars and a birdie at the 16th in a one-under back nine for his 74.

Newlands' Jake Whelan won the third gross as with a four-over 75 while in the nett, Druids Heath's Josef Cervenka shot 71 off seven to win by three strokes from Tramore's David Bennett and Newlands' Alex Nicoara.

Cervenka had three double bogeys and a bogey in his round while Bennett went out in five-over par before battling home in one-over for his 74, edging out Nicoara on the back nine for the second nett.

TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71, SSS 75, CSS 76)

Nett

  1. Josef Cervenka (7) Druids Heath GC 71

  2. David Bennett (3) Tramore GC 74

  3. Alex Nicoara (7) Newlands GC 74

Gross

  1. AJ McCabe (+3) Portmarnock Links 70

  2. Cian McNamara (Pro) Monkstown GC 74

  3. Jake Whelan (+2) Newlands GC 75