Late surge from Thornton as he claim fourth Irish PGA title

It was an emotional win for Simon Thornton whose son Ryan was caddying for him as he won his fourth Irish PGA title.

Thu, 07 Aug, 2025 - 20:03

Desk

Simon Thornton found his putting range at the right time to put in a clinical display to take his fourth Brown and Brown Irish PGA Championship at Monkstown Golf Club.

Thornton lead overnight by one shot and he overcame a sluggish start to ease to a two-shot victory on nine-under hitting a final round of 66 to hold off Mount Wolseley's Sean O'Donoghue.

The former European Tour winner had a nervous start hitting a bogey on his opening tee but settled with birdies on the third and fourth.

O'Donoghue, in the group ahead of Thornton, continued in the same vein of form as his 65 from the day before, sunk birdies on the third, fourth, fifth and seventh to hit the front on eight-under and three ahead of Thornton.

Thornton remained patient and found his putting range with birdies on the 10th, 12th, 14th and 15th to move three clear on 10-under. He also found his form on the greens to hole lengthy par putts on the 16th and 17th to hold his three shot lead.

He dropped a shot on the last to seal what was an emotional victory with his son Ryan caddying for him.

"I knew only being a couple under par around that stage I was probably one clear, or level or even one behind! To have those three birdies in quick succession, played a lovely shot on 14, to get those quickly gave me some daylight between the rest of the field.

"It's great to have Ryan, he's just starting out on his golfing journey so for him to experience that and to understand the game a little bit more when it's coming down the stretch to keep breathing, stay in the moment. He's 13 he wants to hit driver and go for the green and all that stuff but it's been a great week for me."

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