Geraghty two clear in Irish PGA after five-under 67 at Carne's Wild Atlantic Dunes
Carne Golf Links’ Wild Atlantic Dunes links
Laytown and Bettystown’s Cian Geraghty opened with a five-under 67 to lead the 112th Irish PGA Championship by two shots from Brian McElhinney, Richard Weldon and Neil O’Briain on Carne Golf Links’ Wild Atlantic Dunes course.
“I played nicely,” said Geraghty, who birdied the first, third, fourth and ninth to turn in 33, then got to six-under with further birdies at the 11th and par-five 14th before dropping his only shot of the day at the 17th.
“The course was set up nicely for scoring but conditions were tricky enough. Most of the tees were up so you didn’t have to hit driver and you could plot your way around.
“If there were back tees used there would have been cricket scores shot.
“I hit 15 greens and was never really under much stress. There is a long way to go - 36 holes. So I will just keep plodding away and we will see what happens.”
Liam Power, Damien McGrane, Damian Moone, Paul Eivers and Patrick Geraghty are lurking just three shots off the pace with Eamonn Brady, Sean O'Donoghue, Colm Moriarty and Simon Thornton the only other players to break par with 71s.
Defending champion David Higgins from Waterville, who is seeking his third Irish PGA win, is seven shots off the pace after a 74.
112th Irish PGA Championship, Carne Golf Links, Wild Atlantic Dunes Course (Par 72)
Sponsored by Columbia Sportswear
67 Cian Geraghty (Laytown & Bettystown)
69 Brian McElhinney (North West), Richard Weldon (Black Bush), Neil O'Briain (McGuirks Golf Finglas)
70 Liam Power (Unattt), Damien McGrane (Carlow), Damian Mooney (Lough Erne Resort) Paul Eivers (Cahir Park), Patrick Geraghty (Druids Glen Hotel & Golf Resort)
71 Eamonn Brady (Clontarf), Sean O'Donoghue (Mount Wolseley Golf & CC), Colm Moriarty (Glasson Lakehouse), Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort)
72 Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge), Michael McGeady (Michael McGeady Golf), Richard O'Donovan (Unatt), Reece Black (Holywood)
73 Aaron Crotty (Lisheen Springs), Owen O'Loughlin (Millicent), Ciaran Lavery (Concra Wood), David Barry (Douglas), Andrew Hogan Edmondstown), Tim Rice (Limerick), Liam Grehan (The K Club)
74 Eoin O'Connor (Kilkenny), Brian O'Reilly (Glenlo Abbey), Adam Mulhall (Ardglass), Eoin O'Brien (Clontarf), David Higgins (Waterville Golf Links), Seamus Clinton (Redcastle Hotel & Spa)
75 Brendan Walton (Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links), Mark Staunton (Mark Staunton Golf), Shane Jenkinson (The Island), Eddie Tracey (Ballina)
76 Lee Campbell (Royal County Down), Graham Byrne (Palmerstown House Estate), Dylan Burke (Millicent), Shane Franklin (Portumna), Brian Jnr McCormack (McCormack Golf Ltd), James Quinlivan (Mullingar), Ciaran Molloy (Golf4Kids), Raymond Ryan (Thurles)
77 Ronan Higgins (Golf Station), Callum Slater (Unatt), David Mortimer (Galway), Brian Cosgrove (Newlands), David Hughes (Massereene) , Richard Bridges (Stackstown)
78 Philip McLaughlin (Unatt.), Paul O'Neill (Shannon), Karl O'Donnell (Unatt), Gary McGrane (Clontarf), Gerry Burke (Royal Curragh), John McClean (Blackwood Golf Centre)
79 Darragh Lynch (Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort), Peter O'Hagan (Luttrellstown Castle), Glen Robinson (Craddockstown), Donal Gleeson (Old Conna), Jack Ryan (Castletroy)
80 Darren McHale (The K Club), William Noble (St. Anne's), Damien Scott (Farnham Estate), Nicholas Grant (Clandeboye), Ian Halpin (Nenagh), Gavin Young (Ballyneety)
81 John McQuaid (Rossmore), Cian Healy (Portmarnock), Stephen Rayfus (Knightsbrook Golf & CC), John Dignam (Spawell Golf Academy), Shane Irwin (Monkstown)
82 Aodan Comerford (Balbriggan), Ethon McGrane (Carlow), James McVicker (Unatt)
83 Eric Byrne (Elm Park)
84 Joe Dillon (Headfort)
85 Keith McDermott (Hermitage), Mark Sutton (Corrstown), Brian Sweeney (Beaverstown)
86 Craig Stewart (Craig Stewart Golf Limited, Paul Behan (Black Bush), David Ruddy (Ballykisteen Hotel & Golf Resort)
87 Jack Ahearne (Douglas), Ciaran Hegarty (Millicent)
89 Michael Gielty (Grange)
94 Conor Muir (Bandon)
NR Conor Coyne (Elm Park)
