Howley leads big names in Irish PGA

With only four players under par following the rain-affected third round of the Irish PGA championships, Ballyliffin professional Francis Howley has surprisingly assumed the lead on four under with a controlled round of 74 at the St Margaret’s club in Dublin.

Howley, part of a four-way lead after the second day’s play, poached five birdies and eight pars in squally conditions to pip the bigger names of Philip Walton and world number eight Padraig Harrington to the overnight lead.

Round of the day, however, came from Challenge Tour regular Michael Hoey, who went around in 70.

42-year-old Walton, currently ranked 1058th in the world, has not won a tour event since 1995 and was four over for his day’s play.

His playing partner Harrington missed the first four greens in regulation but with a superb short game, managed to get up-and-down on each occasion.

Bogeys on 14 and 15 robbed Harrington of the lead, but a closing birdie for a round of 76 keeps him within striking distance for the final day.

Previously fourth, Warrenpoint’s Raymond Burns dropped right over of contention after a poor front nine saw him drop eight shots in his first ten holes.

Irish PGA Championships, St Margaret's GC, Dublin:

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THIRD ROUND SCORES

215 F Howley 74

216 M Hoey 70 P Harrington 76

P Walton 77

220 P Martin 73

221 D Mooney 74 R Burns 79

222 S Hamill 71 B McGovern 74

223 G Lunny 75 D Higgins 78

L Bowler 79

224 R Hutton 73 G Loughrey 76

S Browne 79 J Heggarty 80

225 D Walker 74 C O Connor Jr 75

P Williamson 77 J Murray 78

P Hanna 80

226 R Giles 76 D Ryan 81 J Dwyer 82

T Rice 82

227 G Chambers 74 C Mallon 75

L Walker 76 L Robinson 77

G Robinson 77