Irish Golf Desk

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Grehan and McGlynn show their class at Portmarnock Links

Tullamore’s Stuart Grehan. Picture: Pat Cashman

Tullamore's Stuart Grehan made three birdies and a bogey in a two-under 69 to win the gross by five strokes in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

An 88-strong field took the course in a steady, southerly wind but it was former international Grehan who prevailed as rain swept the course towards midday.

Out in one-under par thanks to a birdie at the sixth, the Europro Tour regular (26) bounced back from a solitary bogey at the 12th with birdies at the 13th and 14th before parring his way home.

His 69 was the best gross by five shots from Elm Park's Charlie Denvir, who shot a three-over 74 to edge out Corrstown professional Craig Melvin for second place as he played his last six holes in level par to Melvin’s two-over.

Portmarnock one-handicapper Shane McGlynn won the nett with an impressive, two-under 69 as he made two birdies and two bogeys to turn in level par before birdies at the 13th, 16th and the tough par-three 17th cancelled out bogeys at the 11th and 15th.

McGlynn won the nett by two shots from Malahide five-handicapper Shane O'Neill, who went out in one-over after a bogey at the second before coming home in four-over par for his 71.

Hermitage five-handicapper Luke Harris was third with a 72 and left to rue a quadruple bogey eight at the 16th in an otherwise steady round featuring two birdies and four bogeys.

TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71, SSS 74, CSS 75)

Nett

1, Shane McGlynn (1) Portmarnock GC 69

2, Shane O’Neill (5) Malahide GC 71

3, Luke Harris (5) Hermitage GC 72

Gross

1, Stuart Grehan (Pro) Unattached 69

2, Charlie Denvir (+1) Elm Park GC 74 (B6-level par)

3, Craig Melvin (Pro) Corrstown GC 74 (B6 +2)