Golf: Walton records Irish PGA win

Philip Walton chalked up his first win on the Irish PGA Tour in more than two years with a storming finish in the 36-holes £20,000 AIB Connemara pro-am.

Walton finished the weekend tournament at eight-under-par 136 but had only

one stroke to spare over former Ulster Champion Damian Mooney.

Four birdies in the last five holes shot Walton past the pack.

He was level par for the second round after 13 holes and then made his charge for victory.

He birdied the long 14th hole, the par four 15th and after a solid par at 16 finished with back-to-back birdie fours to pip Mooney.

The team event was a family affair for the Howleys. Black Bush assistant Nigel, his father Tommy, uncle Jackie and brother Jason collected their second 92 points of the weekend to be team winners.

AIB PRO-AM AT CONNEMARA (Par 144):

136 - P Walton (Westpoint Fitness Centre) 68.

137 - D Mooney (Laganview) 70.

139 - P Russell (Unattached) 70, D Walker (Foxrock) 74, H O'Neill

(Connemara) 71.

140 - M Allan (Leopardstown) 70, G Burke (Curragh) 72, F Howley (Milltown)

70, W O'Callaghan (Fernhill) 71, N Howley (Black Bush) 67, J Dignam (Slade

Valley) 72, E Doyel (Heath) 69.

141 - G Loughrey (Knockbracken) 72, S Hamill (Lisburn) 72, K O'Donnell

(Newlands) 74, C Barry (Donabate) 70.

142 - D McGrane (Wexford) 72, B McGovrn (Headfort) 75, M Bannon (Bangor) 74.

143 - L Robinson (Donegal) 72, D Kearney (Galway DR) 71, P Jones

(Coollattin) 75, R Burns (Newlands) 72, L McCool (Slieve Russell) 73.

144 - K Morris (Fota Island) 72, Z Rouiller (Spawell) 71, J Kelly (Ward) 73,

R Symes (Royal Belfast) 72, J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 71.

Team:

184pts - Nigel Howley (Black Bush) with Tommy Howley 10, Jackie Howley 16 &

Jason Howley 14 (all Ballinasloe) 92.