Mullarney wins on Alps Tour in Austria to boost chances of Challenge Tour promotion
Ronan Mullarney with sponsors and fellow prize winners. Photo:: Alps Tour Golf / Federico Capretti
Galway’s Ronan Mullarney took his first big step on the road to the Challenge Tour when he claimed his maiden win in the Alps Tour’s weather-shortened Gösser Open in Austria.
Like many other Irish players, the former Irish Close champion (27) has seen his career delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
But he is now on track to win one of five Challenge Tour cards awarded via the Alps Tour Order of Merit after securing a four-shot win at Golf Club Erzherzog Johann in Maria Lankowitz to become the second Irish winner after Donegal’s Brendan McCarroll won the event in 2012 and 2013.
“It was a difficult 36 holes, in these conditions,” said Mullarney, who followed an eight-under 64 with a 68 to win on 12-under par from Italy’s Gianmaria Rean Trinchero.
“Trying to keep the umbrella up and down and keeping my bag as dry as possible, a lot of things to happening on top of the golf that has to be played. Being from Ireland and having grown up in these conditions probably helped me. I can assure you that no one likes playing in these conditions, but I might have slightly more experience than the rest of the guys.”
He added: “I’m delighted to have won this event, but it won’t mean a lot to me unless I’m able to end the season in the top 5 at the end of the year.”
Play was first suspended on Thursday during the first round due to flooded greens and continuous heavy rain. The tournament resumed on Friday, but even after being reduced to 36 holes, it took until Saturday to complete.
Spain’s Quim Vidal remains top of the Order of Merit standings with Mullarney now second ahead of the Netherland’s Kiet Van der Weele, France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy and England’s Jack Floyd.
Mullarney, who pocketed €5,800 for the win, qualified for The Open last year but was not among the seven players who received €35,000 each from the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme last week.
Rosslare’s Paul Murphy was tied sixth on five under after rounds of 69 and 70, with Mallow’s James Sugrue tied 40th on one under after scores of 71 and 72 and is 33rd in the Order of Merit.
Murphy is 39th, with Paul McBride 43rd.
The next scheduled event is set for May 24-26 at Golf Club La Pinetina in Como, Italy, for the 2023 Memorial Giorgio Bordoni presented by AON.