Hazel’s late birdie blitz stuns McDermott and seals historic win

Hazel Kavanagh (Carr Golf Services) produced a late birdie blitz to claim an historic victory at the PGA Irish Club Professional Tournament in association with The Down Syndrome Centre at Arklow GC.

The former Ladies European Tour competitor, now in the second year of her PGA studies, carded a five under par 64 to edge out Michael McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) by a shot.

“I’ve been pleased with my form of late and finished tied for seventh at the recent K Club Pro-am. I was reasonably content to be tied for 10 after the opening round which was played in tough conditions. I thought that a decent round might get me into the top five,” said Kavanagh.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to win the tournament, I can’t believe it.”

Playing alongside McDermott, the pair became involved in something of a personal duel over the back nine with Kavanagh’s run of four birdies in the closing four holes securing a remarkable victory.

McDermott, with birdies at nine, 10, 15 and 16 edged ahead of his opponent with two holes to play but Kavanagh refused to buckle and levelled things up with a birdie at 17 before rolling in a 10 footer on 18 to wrap up victory.

“The conditions were much better today which obviously helped and I putted really, really well,” added Kavanagh who is based at the Spawell Golf Centre in Dublin.

Overnight leaders, David Ryan (Cahir Park GC) and Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny GC) slipped back, finishing tied for third and tied for sixth, respectively.

lRyder Cup vice-captain Des Smyth holed a 25 birdie putt on the 18th green to take the early lead at the ISPS Handa Seniors PGA Championship at the Stoke by Nayland Golf, Hotel & Spa.

Smyth had key-hole surgery to ‘clean up’ a troublesome knee problem a couple of months ago and has not played much golf in the build up to the new Senior Tour season.

“Maybe that’s the secret – play less golf!” he smiled after signing for a five under par 67 to take a one stroke lead over 2013 Senior Rookie of the Year, Steen Tinning of Denmark.

* England’s Adam Gee, whose previous appearance in the Lyoness Open ended after one day and 81 shots, claimed a share of the lead on his return to Diamond Country Club yesterday.

Gee fired an eagle, four birdies and one bogey to card an opening five-under-par 67, which was matched by Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg as the later starters made the most of improving conditions in Austria.