Irish PGA Championship
| Tournament information | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1907 |
| Course(s) | Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort (2016) |
| Month played | September (2016) |
| Current champion | |
| Damien McGrane (2016) | |
The Irish PGA Championship is a golf tournament played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the country, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland. It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's schedule, having many notable winners in the over 100 years of play. Christy O'Connor Snr and Harry Bradshaw have the most wins in the event with 10.[1] The event was played in match-play format from its inauguration in 1907 until it became a stroke play event in 1910.[2]
History
1907 Irish Professional Championship
The first Irish Professional Championship was played on 20 and 21 May 1907 at Royal Portrush Golf Club. There was an 18-hole stroke play contest on the first morning with the leading 8 qualifying for the knockout matchplay stage. James Edmundson and Harry Hamill led with scores of 76. Three players were tied for the final place and played a 9-hole playoff to decide the last place, won by Hugh McNeill. In the first round of the matchplay Edmundson and Hamill were drawn to play each other, Edmundson being the surprise winner by 5&4.[3] The semi-finals and final were played on the second day. Local professional Edmundson and Yorkshireman Bertie Snowball won their semi-finals and met in the final. The match was all square after 9 holes but Edmundson won the next three and eventually won 2&1.[4]
The Championship was preceded by the first professional match between Ireland and Scotland on 18 May. Teams of 12 played singles and foursomes. Ireland beat a weak Scotland team by 14 matches to 3 with 1 match halved.[5] The players had played a 36-hole stroke-play event the previous day, won by Michael Moran with a score of 154, 4 ahead of Bertie Snowball.[6]
1908 Irish Professional Championship
The 1908 Championship was extended to a third day, being played from 13–15 May at Portmarnock Golf Club. The first day was a 36-hole event with 8 qualifying for the matchplay stage. As in 1907 James Edmundson and Harry Hamill led, with scores of 160.[7] Edmundson and Bertie Snowball again met in the final.[8] In the 36-hole final Edmundson won comfortably 5&3 after being 4 up after 18 holes.[9] Edmundson won a gold medal and the £10 first prize.[8]
1909 Irish Professional Championship
The 1909 Championship retained the same format and was played from 12–14 May at Royal County Down Golf Club. James Edmundson was again joint leader, this time with Michael Moran, with scores of 167.[10] In the first round Edmundson was finally defeated. Moran and Harry Kidd won their two matches and met in the final.[11] Moran started badly and was 3 down after 6 holes. However, he then won the next 6 holes and was 2 up after the first round. Moran won the first hole in the afternoon and from the 5th to the 11th holes won 6 more to win easily 9&7, the first of five successive victories in the championship.[12]
1910 Irish Professional Championship
From 1910 the Championship became a 72-hole strokeplay event. It was played on 9 and 10 June at Royal Dublin Golf Club. Defending champion Michael Moran, pulled 7 ahead ahead at the end of the first day after a second round 72, a course record.[13] On the second day Moran extended his lead with another course record of 70, extending his lead to 13. A final round of 76 gave him a 10 stroke win over Michael Cahill and 23 ahead of the rest of the field.[14]
1911 Irish Professional Championship
The 1911 Championship was played on 8 and 9 June at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Michael Moran led after the first day on 159, three ahead of James Edmundson.[15] In the third round Edmundson scored 75 to Moran's 78 to be on level terms. Moran then scored a final round 72 to Edmundson's 78 to win by six strokes. Hugh McNeill finished third a further three shots behind.[16]
1912 Irish Professional Championship
The 1912 Championship was played on 9 and 10 May at Castlerock Golf Club. Pat Doyle led after the first day on 152, having set a course record of 72 in his afternoon round. Michael Moran was three behind on 155.[17] Moran scored 75 in the third round to Doyle's 82 to take a 4 stroke lead. Another 75 from Moran gave him a 6 shot win over Doyle who finished with a 77. Harry Hamill was third, a further shot behind.[18]
1913 Irish Professional Championship
The 1913 Championship was played on 31 July and 1 August at Portmarnock Golf Club. After two rounds Hugh McNeill led on 163, ahead of Pat O'Hare on 164. Defending champion Michael Moran was tied for fifth after a second round 88.[19] After a third round 79 O'Hare had a lead of 5 strokes from McNeill and Charlie Pope, with Moran a further shot back. McNeill and Pope faded in the final round, while O'Hare and Moran both took 39 for the front nine. O'Hare then took 7 at the 10th and 11th and came home in 44 to Moran's 36 to give Moran a two stroke victory and his fifth successive title. Pope had a final round 82 to finish third.[20][21]
1914 Irish Professional Championship
In late 1913 it was announced that Michael Moran was leaving Royal Dublin Golf Club to be professional at Wearside Golf Club[22] and so he was not eligible to defend his title in 1914. The 1914 Championship was played on 28 and 29 May at Royal County Down Golf Club. Local professional Alex Robertson led after the first day on 151 with Jimmy O'Hare a shot behind.[23] After the third round Hugh McNeill and Charlie Pope were tied for the lead with Robertson a shot behind. In the final round Pope took 75 to McNeill's 89 to take the championship by 8 strokes from brothers Jimmy and Pat O'Hare with Robertson a further shot behind.[24]
Winners
| Year | Winner | Venue | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Damien McGrane | Moyvalley | 278 |
| 2015 | Niall Kearney (2) | Dundalk | 266 |
| 2014 | Niall Kearney | Adare Manor | 268 |
| 2013 | Michael McGeady | Roganstown | 275 |
| 2012 | David Higgins | Mount Juliet | 209** |
| 2011 | Simon Thornton | Seapoint Golf Club | 269 |
| 2010 | David Mortimer (2) | Seapoint Golf Club | 277 |
| 2009 | Pádraig Harrington (6) | The European Club | 283 |
| 2008 | Pádraig Harrington (5) | The European Club | 285 |
| 2007 | Pádraig Harrington (4) | The European Club | 279 |
| 2006 | David Mortimer | Druids Heath | 286 |
| 2005 | Pádraig Harrington (3) | PGA National Ireland | 285 |
| 2004 | Pádraig Harrington (2) | St. Margarets | 287 |
| 2003 | Paul McGinley (4) | Adare Manor | 280 |
| 2002 | Paul McGinley (3) | Westport | 213** |
| 2001 | Des Smyth (6) | Castlerock | 273 |
| 2000 | Paul McGinley (2) | County Louth | 270 |
| 1999 | Neil Manchip | Island | 271 |
| 1998 | Pádraig Harrington | Powerscourt | 216** |
| 1997 | Paul McGinley | Fota Island | 285 |
| 1996 | Des Smyth (5) | Slieve Russell | 281 |
| 1995 | Philip Walton (4) | Belvoir Park | 273 |
| 1994 | Darren Clarke | Galway Bay | 285 |
| 1993 | Martin Sludds (2) | The K Club | 285 |
| 1992 | Eamonn Darcy (2) | The K Club | 285 |
| 1991 | Philip Walton (3) | Woodbrook | 277 |
| 1990 | Des Smyth (4) | Woodbrook | 271 |
| 1989 | Philip Walton (2) | Castle | 266 |
| 1988 | Eamonn Darcy | Castle | 269 |
| 1987 | Philip Walton | County Louth | 144*** |
| 1986 | Des Smyth (3) | Waterville | 282 |
| 1985 | Des Smyth (2) | County Louth | 201** |
| 1984 | Martin Sludds | Skerries | 277 |
| 1983 | Liam Higgins | Woodbrook | 275 |
| 1982 | David Feherty (2) | Woodbrook | 287 |
| 1981 | David Jones | Woodbrook | 283 |
| 1980 | David Feherty | Royal Dublin | 283 |
| 1979 | Des Smyth | Royal Dublin | 215** |
| 1978 | Christy O'Connor Snr (10) | Royal Dublin | 286 |
| 1977 | Paddy Skerritt | Woodbrook | 281 |
| 1976 | Paddy McGuirk | Waterville | 291 |
| 1975 | Christy O'Connor Snr (9) | Carlow | 275 |
| 1974 | Eddie Polland | Portstewart | 277 |
| 1973 | Jimmy Kinsella (2) | Limerick | 284 |
| 1972 | Jimmy Kinsella | Bundoran | 289 |
| 1971 | Christy O'Connor Snr (8) | Galway | 278 |
| 1970 | Hugh Jackson | Massereene | 283 |
| 1969 | Jimmy Martin | Dundalk | 268 |
| 1968 | Christy Greene (2) | Knock | 282 |
| 1967 | Hugh Boyle | Tullamore | 214** |
| 1966 | Christy O'Connor Snr (7) | Warrenpoint | 269 |
| 1965 | Christy O'Connor Snr (6) | Mullingar | 283 |
| 1964 | Ernie Jones (2) | Knock | 279 |
| 1963 | Christy O'Connor Snr (5) | Cork | 271 |
| 1962 | Christy O'Connor Snr (4) | Bangor | 264 |
| 1961 | Christy O'Connor Snr (3) | Lahinch | 280 |
| 1960 | Christy O'Connor Snr (2) | Warrenpoint | 271 |
| 1959 | Norman Drew | Mullingar | 282 |
| 1958 | Christy O'Connor Snr | Royal Belfast | 279 |
| 1957 | Harry Bradshaw (10) | Ballybunion | 286 |
| 1956 | Christy Greene | Clandeboye | 281 |
| 1955 | Ernie Jones | Castletroy | 276 |
| 1954 | Harry Bradshaw (9) | Royal Co Down | 300 |
| 1953 | Harry Bradshaw (8) | Dundalk | 272 |
| 1952 | Fred Daly (3) | Mullingar | 284 |
| 1951 | Harry Bradshaw (7) | Balmoral | 280 |
| 1950 | Harry Bradshaw (6) | Grange | 277 |
| 1949 | Christy Kane | Royal Portrush | 301 |
| 1948 | John McKenna (2) | Galway | 285 |
| 1947 | Harry Bradshaw (5) | County Louth | 291 |
| 1946 | Fred Daly (2) | Clandeboye | 285 |
| 1945 | John McKenna | Newlands | 283 |
| 1944 | Harry Bradshaw (4) | Hermitage | 291 |
| 1943 | Harry Bradshaw (3) | Dún Laoghaire | 277 |
| 1942 | Harry Bradshaw (2) | Hermitage | 285 |
| 1941 | Harry Bradshaw | County Sligo | 293 |
| 1940 | Fred Daly | Cork | 305 |
| 1939 | Paddy Mahon (3) | Bundoran | 290 |
| 1938 | Paddy Mahon (2) | Royal Portrush | 291 |
| 1937 | Paddy Mahon | Portmarnock | 298 |
| 1936 | Joe McCartney (3) | Galway | 281 |
| 1935 | Sydney Fairweather (2) | Belvoir Park | 293 |
| 1934 | Willie Nolan | Dún Laoghaire | 282 |
| 1933 | Jimmy Adams | Castlerock | 291 |
| 1932 | Hugh McNeill (2) | Royal Dublin | 304 |
| 1931 | Joe McCartney (2) | Portstewart | 273 |
| 1930 | Joe McCartney | Castle | 291 |
| 1929 | Hugh McNeill | Royal Co Down | 317 |
| 1928 | Leo Wallace | County Sligo | 315 |
| 1927 | Pat O'Hare (2) | Royal Dublin | 310 |
| 1926 | Sydney Fairweather | Malone | 299 |
| 1925 | Moses O'Neill (3) | Portmarnock | 315 |
| 1924 | Moses O'Neill (2) | Malone | 305 |
| 1923 | Moses O'Neill | Milltown | 309 |
| 1922 | James Martin | Royal Portrush | 328 |
| 1921 | James Cromwell | Portmarnock | 313 |
| 1920 | Jimmy O'Hare | Castlerock | 315 |
| 1919 | Pat O'Hare | Portmarnock | 326 |
| 1915-18 | Cancelled due to World War I | ||
| 1914 | Charlie Pope | Royal Co Down | 305 |
| 1913 | Michael Moran (5) | Portmarnock | 324 |
| 1912 | Michael Moran (4) | Castlerock | 305 |
| 1911 | Michael Moran (3) | Royal Portrush | 310 |
| 1910 | Michael Moran (2) | Royal Dublin | 296* |
| 1909 | Michael Moran def. Harry Kidd | Royal Co Down | 9 & 7 |
| 1908 | James Edmundson (2) def. Bertie Snowball | Portmarnock | 5 & 3 |
| 1907 | James Edmundson def. Bertie Snowball | Royal Portrush | 2 & 1 |
* format changed to stroke play in 1910
** reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather
*** reduced to 36 holes due to bad weather
Most wins
| Rank | Player | # Wins | Last win |
|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Christy O'Connor Snr | 10 | 1978 |
| Harry Bradshaw | 10 | 1957 | |
| T3 | Pádraig Harrington | 6 | 2009 |
| Des Smyth | 6 | 2001 | |
| 5 | Michael Moran | 5 | 1913 |
| T6 | Paul McGinley | 4 | 2003 |
| Philip Walton | 4 | 1995 |
References
- ↑ About the Championship
- ↑ Past winners
- ↑ "Professionals at Portrush". The Glasgow Herald. 21 May 1907. p. 4.
- ↑ "Championships at Portrush". The Glasgow Herald. 22 May 1907. p. 12.
- ↑ "Professional International match". The Glasgow Herald. 20 May 1907. p. 5.
- ↑ "Professional at Portrush". The Glasgow Herald. 18 May 1907. p. 11.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 14 May 1908. p. 13.
- 1 2 "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 15 May 1908. p. 14.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 16 May 1908. p. 12.
- ↑ "The Irish Meeting". The Glasgow Herald. 13 May 1909. p. 13.
- ↑ "Irish Championship Meeting – Defeat of the holder". The Glasgow Herald. 14 May 1909. p. 14.
- ↑ "Irish Championship Meeting". The Glasgow Herald. 15 May 1909. p. 12.
- ↑ "The Irish Professional Championship – Record by M Moran". The Glasgow Herald. 10 June 1910. p. 14.
- ↑ "The Irish Professional Championship – Victory of M Moran". The Glasgow Herald. 11 June 1910. p. 15.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 9 June 1911. p. 14.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 10 June 1911. p. 15.
- ↑ "Irish Native Championships". The Glasgow Herald. 11 May 1912. p. 14.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championships". The Glasgow Herald. 11 May 1912. p. 14.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championships". The Glasgow Herald. 1 August 1913. p. 12.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championship – Victory of Michael Moran". The Glasgow Herald. 2 August 1913. p. 12.
- ↑ http://www.irishgolfarchive.com/Events/1913%20Timeline.htm Irish Golf Timeline - 1913
- ↑ "Michael Moran's English appointment". The Times. 22 November 1913. p. 13.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 29 May 1914. p. 12.
- ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 30 May 1914. p. 13.