‘Significant’ win for Turner

Muskerry golfer Niall Turner has pulled off a significant victory on the Asian Development Tour in Jakarta as he battles back from an unfortunate run of illness and injury that have restricted his development in the pro ranks.

Turner, 30, has been out of action for much of the last 18 months due to a series of hip injuries. An attack of heat stroke in a tournament in Malaysia also forced an extended spell away from the game.

But everything clicked into place over the Imperial Club course in Jakarta as he finished ten under par with rounds of 72, 70, 68 and 69 for his first win as a professional in Asia.

“This was a great week for me,” Turner enthused. “I’ve had two very frustrating years of inactivity but played very well over the last three days. I did get off to a slow start in the fourth round and Peter Richardson, an English golfer and a good friend I frequently room with over here, got dangerously close before I settled and parred my way home for a very significant win.

“I am now 10th in the order of merit in spite of a restricted number of tournaments. At the end of the year, there are five Asian Tour places on offer and I now play two good money events in Taipei. Hopefully this win proves a turning point.”