Cork professional John Hickey blasted an eagle and four birdies in his first eight holes en route to a four-under 67 and victory in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

The former Munster interprovincial did not mind the chilly conditions as he got hot and mixed an eagle at the sixth with birdies at the first, third, seventh and eighth to get to six-under-par.

He would bogey the ninth and 15th to finish on four-under-par, but his 67 still gave him the nett by four shots from Rush Golf Club’s John Charters as Naas based professional Jonny Yates won the gross with a 70.

Playing off an index of 8.6 and receiving 11 shots over the Blue course. Charters made eight pars with the highlight of his round a birdie on the par-four 15th.

Grange professional Micheal McDermott had five birdies — first, third, sixth, 14th and 17th — as well as four bogeys and a double-bogey at the 634 yard 13th hole in a 72 to take the third nett.

Yates had four bogeys on his card (fifth, 13th, 16th and 17th), but birdies at the second, fourth, sixth, 12th and 14th saw him win the gross with a one-under 70.

Limerick’s Tim Rice mixed birdies at the sixth and 14th with bogeys at the 12th and 13th as he posted an even-par 71 to take the second gross with Athenry’s Allan Hill third with a 72.

The Maynooth University star birdied the tough 12th and 16th holes for a closing nine of 35 en route to a fine 72 and the third gross prize.

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

21st December

Nett

1. John Hickey (Pro) Cork Golf Club 67

2. John Charters (8.6) Rush Golf Club 71 

3. Michael McDermott (Pro) Grange Golf Club 72

Gross

1. Jonathan Yates (Pro) Naas Golf Club  70  

2. Tim Rice (Pro) Limerick Golf Club  71

3. Allan Hill (+3.4) Athenry Golf Club 72  

December 28 - Sold out

January 4 - Places available