Mooney wins by six shots

Damian Mooney gave notice that he intends to be a big player on the Irish circuit this season with a stunning performance in the €15,000 Great Northern Hotel pro-am tournament at Bundoran.

The Laganview professional carded rounds of 67,66 and 69 for an eight under par total of 202 and a six shots win over Brendan McGovern (Headfort) who soared up the leaderboard with a closing 67 today.

Mooney made just two bogeys in his 54 holes, both of them in the last round but with an overnight lead of seven shots he could afford them.

"I played solid golf throughout the tournament and this is a nice way to start the season. I'm not sure what my arrangements are for the next few events as I am very busy at the club but this is great to be going on with," Damian enthused.

Last year, Mooney, McGovern and Wexford professional Damian McGrane shared the honours at Bundoran but McGrane, now concentrating on the European Tour, was missing this time.

McGovern, captain of the Irish Region, made four birdies in his last round to take second place all on his own.

Great Northern Hotel pro-am at Bundoran:

202 (-8) - d Mooney (Laganview) 67,66,69.

208 - B McGovern (Headfort) 70,71,67.

210 - G McNeill (Royal Portrush) 69,73,68;

L Robinson (Donegal) 69,72,69.

211 - L Walker (Dundalk) 71.

212 - P Leonard (Fintona) 70.

213 - G Loughrey (Knockbracken) 71.

214 - R Ryan (Athenry) 70; D McSweeney (Limerick Co) 72.

217 - S Thornton (Royal County Down) 69.

220 - D McQuillan (Co Sligo) 72.

221 - B McDaid (Rathsallagh) 71;

L Bowler (St Helen's Bay) 72.

Irish Team Championship:

270pts - L Bowler (St Helen's Bay) with Denis Lehane 11, Brendan Scallon 12 (both Wexford) & Maurice Bowler 18 (Headfort) 93,88,89.

267 - D McSweeney (Limerick Co) with Ivan Cawley 8 (Limerick GC), John Tierney 10 (Castletroy) & Ger Walsh 15 (Limerick Co) 89,91,87.

263 - D Mooney (Laganview) with Wendy Taggart 20 (Aughnacloy), Leslie Allan 21 (Dunmurry) & Alexis Davison 23 (Aughnacloy) 82,96,85.