Simon Thornton, the assistant to Kevan Whitson at Royal County Down, steered a steady course through the heavy showers and windy conditions at Charlesland to win the Kellogg's PGA Irish Assistants' Championship title.

Michael Collins from Charleville and Royal Co Down's Colin McElderry share the lead after the first two rounds in the Kellogg's PGA Irish Assistants' Championship at Charlesland.