Walton shows old flair at Slieve Russell

Philip Walton showed his old flair and sticking power at Slieve Russell to win the €70,000 Quinn Direct PGA Charity Trophy tournament, one stoke ahead of Francis Howley and Damian McGrane.

The former Ryder Cup hero finished on level par 144, after back-to-back rounds of 72, he strode off in the second round with a rare eagle two, popping his seven iron approach into the cup.

He then swapped bogey five at the 2nd hole for birdie two at the 4th to turn two-under (34) and could afford to drop three shots on the way home.

He also reduced the long 13th to four blows for a 38 homeward run.

Damian McGrane finished strongly with back-to-back birdies at 16 and 17 to wipe out bogeys at five and 12. His level par 72 was added to a steady opening 73.

Joint overnight leader Howley could only manage a 75 in the driving rain while Martin Sludds, who shared the first round lead, took 78 shots.

Leslie Walker set a hot pace with an early afternoon best-of-the-tournament 68 thanks to a brilliant spin home over the front nine holes that he covered in five under, finishing with an eagle three.

QUINN DIRECT CHARITY TROPHY AT SLIEVE RUSSELL:

Final Leaderboard:

144 - P Walton (Westpoint Fitness Centre) 72;

145 - D McGrane (Wexford) 72; F Howley (Ballyliffin) 75;

146 - L Walker (Dundalk) 68;

147 - J Bolger (Kilkenny) 72;

148 - D Mooney (Laganview) 70; F Dwyer (Celbridge) 72; M Sludds

(Enniscorthy) 78;

149 - N Manchip (Royal Dublin) 74; R Symes (Lisburn) 76; M Allan

(Leopardstownj) 77;

150 - G Loughrey (Knockbracken) 75; J Dwyer (Ashbourne) 75; C Spence (Royal

Belfast) 74;

151 - L McCool (Slieve Russell) 71; S Hamill (Lisburn) 75;

152 - R Burns (Newlands) 71; J Kelly (Unattached) 76; G Fairweather (Knock)

76;

153 - P Russell (Allen Pk) 72; B McGovern (Headfort) 74; E Darcy (Druid's

Glen) 76; G Burke (Curragh) 76; J Heggarty (Spawell) 77;

154 - K O'Donnell (Newlands) 73; J Langan (Milltown) 76; D Walker (Foxrock

82;

155 - P Leonard (Fintona) 76; J Dignam (Slade Valley) 78; K Morris (Fota

Island) 81;

156 - J Murray (Malahide) 75; R Hutton (Downpatrick) 78;

Team:

171 - R Symes (Lisburn) with Jimmy Moohan 12 (Westport), TP Feehan 12

(Slieve Russell) & Gerry Mallon 16 (Greencastle) 87.

170pts - G Burke (Curragh) with Tom Freeman 3, Brendan McDonnell 6 & Johnny

Murray 14 (all Castlewarden) 90.