Golf: Manchip wins Antrim pro-am

Neil Manchip strung together two rounds of 67 to win the £11,000 Cairndhu,

Co Antrim, pro-am tournament that was badly disrupted on Thursday because of

heavy rain and fog.

The Royal Dublin assistant was one of a dozen players who had to return this morning to complete his first round but had just two holes to play.

He covered them in par-birdie for a three-under-par 67 and then went back

out again and carded another 67 that included an eagle two at the 16th where

he drove the green to six feet from the flag.

LEADING SCORES:

134 (-6) - N Manchip (Royal Dublin) 67,67;

136 - S Hamill (Allen Pk) 69,67; D Mooney (Laganview) 70,66;

137 - K Morris (Fota Island) 69,68; P Gray (Holywood) 67,70;

138 - F Dwyer (Celbridge) 70,68;

141 - L Robinson (Donegal) 70,71; B McGovern (Headfort) 69,72; L Walker

(Dundalk) 70,71; R Symes (Royal Belfast) 70,71;

142 - W O'Callaghan (Fernhill) 70,72; E Logue (Hilton) 72,70;

143 - K Dorrian (Killeline) 69,74; P Stevenson (Portadown) 70,73; M Stanford

(Ballyclare) 74,69.

145 - P Russell (Paddock Wood) 69,76; J Kelly (Ward) 72,73; G McNeill (Royal

Portrush) 74,71; J Heggarty (Spawell) 69,76; P O'Hagan (Highfield) 72,73; N

Callan (City of Derry) 67,78; R Johnston (Ballyearl) 75,70.

TEAM:

183pts - N Manchip (Royal Dublin) with John Wilson (6), Michael Douglas (9)

& Gary McIlrath (13) 88,95;

He also made five birdies.

Manchip was two strokes clear of Stephen Hamill who posted a closing 67 and

Damian Mooney who had a six-birdie 66 to add to his opening 70.