Irish PGA Championship

Irish PGA Championship
Tournament information
Established 1907
Course(s) Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort (2017)
Month played June (2017)
Current champion
Tim Rice (2017)

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 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

YearWinnerVenueScoreMargin
of victory		Runner(s)-up
2017 Tim Rice Moyvalley 271 3 strokes Colm Moriarty
2016 Damien McGrane Moyvalley 278 1 stroke Simon Thornton
2015 Niall Kearney (2) Dundalk 266 14 strokes Eamonn Brady, Richard Kilpatrick, James Quinlivan
2014 Niall Kearney Adare Manor 268 1 stroke Michael McGeady
2013 Michael McGeady Roganstown 275 1 stroke Cian McNamara, Damian Mooney
2012 David Higgins Mount Juliet 209 Playoff Gary Murphy, Noel Murray
2011 Simon Thornton Seapoint 269 6 strokes Gary Murphy
2010 David Mortimer (2) Seapoint 277 1 stroke Damien McGrane
2009 Pádraig Harrington (6) The European 283 7 strokes Brian McElhinney
2008 Pádraig Harrington (5) The European 285 4 strokes Philip Walton
2007 Pádraig Harrington (4) The European 279 Playoff Brendan McGovern
2006 David Mortimer Druids Heath 286 1 stroke John Dwyer, Robert Giles
2005 Pádraig Harrington (3) PGA National 285 Playoff Stephen Hamill, Damien McGrane
2004 Pádraig Harrington (2) St. Margarets 287 1 stroke Philip Walton
2003 Paul McGinley (4) Adare Manor 280 5 strokes Gary Murphy
2002 Paul McGinley (3) Westport 213 3 strokes John Dwyer
2001 Des Smyth (6) Castlerock 273 3 strokes Paul McGinley
2000 Paul McGinley (2) County Louth 270 4 strokes Eamonn Darcy
1999 Neil Manchip Island 271 3 strokes Darren Clarke
1998 Pádraig Harrington Powerscourt 216 Playoff Michael Bannon, Francis Howley, Des Smyth
1997 Paul McGinley Fota Island 285 3 strokes Stephen Hamill, David Higgins, John McHenry
YearWinnerVenueScore
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 204
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
YearWinnerVenueScoreMargin
of victory		Runner(s)-upRef
1966 Christy O'Connor Snr (7) Warrenpoint 269 6 strokes Ernie Jones, Jimmy Martin [25]
1965 Christy O'Connor Snr (6) Mullingar 283 Playoff Norman Drew, Nicky Lynch [26]
1964 Ernie Jones (2) Knock 277 3 strokes Nicky Lynch [27]
1963 Christy O'Connor Snr (5) Cork 271 4 strokes Nicky Lynch [28]
1962 Christy O'Connor Snr (4) Bangor 264
1961 Christy O'Connor Snr (3) Lahinch 280 5 strokes Christy Greene [29]
1960 Christy O'Connor Snr (2) Warrenpoint 271 2 strokes Ernie Jones, Jimmy Kinsella, Jimmy Martin [30]
1959 Norman Drew Mullingar 282 2 strokes Christy O'Connor Snr [31]
1958 Christy O'Connor Snr Royal Belfast 279 6 strokes Christy Greene [32]
1957 Harry Bradshaw (10) Ballybunion 286 4 strokes Christy O'Connor Snr [33]
1956 Christy Greene Clandeboye 281 2 strokes Norman Drew [34]
1955 Ernie Jones Castletroy 276 5 strokes Harry Bradshaw [35]
1954 Harry Bradshaw (9) Royal Co Down 300 Playoff Christy O'Connor Snr [36]
1953 Harry Bradshaw (8) Dundalk 272 9 strokes Jimmy Martin [37]
1952 Fred Daly (3) Mullingar 284 2 strokes Harry Bradshaw [38]
1951 Harry Bradshaw (7) Balmoral 280 1 stroke Fred Daly [39]
1950 Harry Bradshaw (6) Grange 277 6 strokes Joe Carroll, Fred Daly [40]
1949 Christy Kane Royal Portrush 301 4 strokes Philip Stevenson [41]
1948 John McKenna (2) Galway 285 4 strokes Christy Kane
1947 Harry Bradshaw (5) County Louth 291 9 strokes WJ Clarke, John McKenna [42]
1946 Fred Daly (2) Clandeboye 285 1 stroke Jack McLachlan [43]
1945 John McKenna Newlands 283 5 strokes Fred Daly [44]
1944 Harry Bradshaw (4) Hermitage 291 2 strokes John McKenna [45]
1943 Harry Bradshaw (3) Dún Laoghaire 277 1 stroke Fred Daly, Joe McCartney [46]
1942 Harry Bradshaw (2) Hermitage 285 Eddie Hackett
1941 Harry Bradshaw County Sligo 293 3 strokes Jack McLachlan [47]
1940 Fred Daly Cork 305 1 stroke Harry Bradshaw
1939 Paddy Mahon (3) Bundoran 290 5 strokes Fred Daly [48]
1938 Paddy Mahon (2) Royal Portrush 291 6 strokes Willie Nolan [49]
1937 Paddy Mahon Portmarnock 298 10 strokes Joe McCartney [50]
1936 Joe McCartney (3) Galway 281 4 strokes Paddy Mahon [51]
1935 Sydney Fairweather (2) Belvoir Park 293 1 stroke Paddy Mahon [52]
1934 Willie Nolan Dún Laoghaire 282 1 stroke AJ Ward [53]
1933 Jimmy Adams Castlerock 291 1 stroke Paddy Mahon [54]
1932 Hugh McNeill (2) Royal Dublin 304 2 strokes Paddy Mahon [55]
1931 Joe McCartney (2) Portstewart 283 Playoff Hugh McNeill [56][57]
1930 Joe McCartney Castle 291 6 strokes Pat O'Connor [58]
1929 Hugh McNeill Royal Co Down 317 2 strokes Charlie Pope [59]
1928 Leo Wallace County Sligo 315 3 strokes Willie Nolan [60]
1927 Pat O'Hare (2) Royal Dublin 301 9 strokes Dan Murray [61]
1926 Sydney Fairweather Malone 299 3 strokes Pat O'Hare [62]
1925 Moses O'Neill (3) Portmarnock 315 5 strokes Willie Nolan [63]
1924 Moses O'Neill (2) Malone 305 2 strokes Sydney Fairweather, Hugh McNeill [64]
1923 Moses O'Neill Milltown 309 1 stroke William Holley [65]
1922 James Martin Royal Portrush 328 5 strokes Charlie Pope [66]
1921 James Cromwell Portmarnock 313 5 strokes Hugh McNeill [67]
1920 Jimmy O'Hare Castlerock 315 Playoff Harry Hamill [68]
1919 Pat O'Hare Portmarnock 326 2 strokes William Holley [69]
1915–1918: Cancelled due to World War I
1914 Charlie Pope Royal Co Down 305 8 strokes Jimmy O'Hare, Pat O'Hare [24]
1913 Michael Moran (5) Portmarnock 324 2 strokes Pat O'Hare [20]
1912 Michael Moran (4) Castlerock 305 6 strokes Pat Doyle [18]
1911 Michael Moran (3) Royal Portrush 310 6 strokes James Edmundson [16]
1910 Michael Moran (2) Royal Dublin 296 10 strokes Michael Cahill [14]
1909 Michael Moran Royal Co Down 9 & 7 Harry Kidd [12]
1908 James Edmundson (2) Portmarnock 5 & 3 Bertie Snowball [9]
1907 James Edmundson Royal Portrush 2 & 1 Bertie Snowball [4]

From 1907 to 1909 the championship was a match-play event. The final was over 18 holes in 1907 and 36 holes in 1908 and 1909. The format changed to stroke play from 1910. The tournament was reduced to 54 holes in 1967, 1979, 1985, 1998, 2002 and 2012 and to 36 holes in 1987.

In 1920 O'Hare beat Hamill 75 to 78 in the 18-hole playoff. In 1931 McCartney beat McNeill 143 to 146 in the 36-hole playoff. In 1950 Bradshaw beat O'Connor 148 to 150 in the 36-hole playoff. In 1965 O'Connor beat Lynch with a birdie at the fourth hole of a sudden-death playoff. Drew had been eliminated at the first extra hole where the other two players got birdies.

Most wins

Rank Player # Wins Last win
T1 Harry Bradshaw 10 1957
Christy O'Connor Snr 10 1978
T3 Pádraig Harrington 6 2009
Des Smyth 6 2001
5 Michael Moran 5 1913
T6 Paul McGinley 4 2003
Philip Walton 4 1995

References

  1. ↑ About the Championship
  2. ↑ Past winners
  3. ↑ "Professionals at Portrush". The Glasgow Herald. 21 May 1907. p. 4.
  4. 1 2 "Championships at Portrush". The Glasgow Herald. 22 May 1907. p. 12.
  5. ↑ "Professional International match". The Glasgow Herald. 20 May 1907. p. 5.
  6. ↑ "Professional at Portrush". The Glasgow Herald. 18 May 1907. p. 11.
  7. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 14 May 1908. p. 13.
  8. 1 2 "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 15 May 1908. p. 14.
  9. 1 2 "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 16 May 1908. p. 12.
  10. ↑ "The Irish Meeting". The Glasgow Herald. 13 May 1909. p. 13.
  11. ↑ "Irish Championship Meeting – Defeat of the holder". The Glasgow Herald. 14 May 1909. p. 14.
  12. 1 2 "Irish Championship Meeting". The Glasgow Herald. 15 May 1909. p. 12.
  13. ↑ "The Irish Professional Championship – Record by M Moran". The Glasgow Herald. 10 June 1910. p. 14.
  14. 1 2 "The Irish Professional Championship – Victory of M Moran". The Glasgow Herald. 11 June 1910. p. 15.
  15. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 9 June 1911. p. 14.
  16. 1 2 "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 10 June 1911. p. 15.
  17. ↑ "Irish Native Championships". The Glasgow Herald. 11 May 1912. p. 14.
  18. 1 2 "Irish Professional Championships". The Glasgow Herald. 11 May 1912. p. 14.
  19. ↑ "Irish Professional Championships". The Glasgow Herald. 1 August 1913. p. 12.
  20. 1 2 "Irish Professional Championship – Victory of Michael Moran". The Glasgow Herald. 2 August 1913. p. 12.
  21. ↑ http://www.irishgolfarchive.com/Events/1913%20Timeline.htm Irish Golf Timeline - 1913
  22. ↑ "Michael Moran's English appointment". The Times. 22 November 1913. p. 13.
  23. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 29 May 1914. p. 12.
  24. 1 2 "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 30 May 1914. p. 13.
  25. ↑ "Warrenpoint". The Times. 20 June 1966. p. 4.
  26. ↑ "Golf". The Glasgow Herald. 31 May 1965. p. 4.
  27. ↑ "Jones gains Irish Championship". The Times. 28 August 1964. p. 5.
  28. ↑ "O'Connor again champion". The Glasgow Herald. 1 August 1963. p. 8.
  29. ↑ "Irish title for O'Connor". The Glasgow Herald. 4 September 1961. p. 9.
  30. ↑ "Another O'Connor win". The Glasgow Herald. 5 September 1960. p. 4.
  31. ↑ "Drew wins Irish title". The Glasgow Herald. 17 August 1959. p. 6.
  32. ↑ "Irish title for O'Connor". The Glasgow Herald. 5 September 1958. p. 4.
  33. ↑ "Bradshaw wins Irish title". The Glasgow Herald. 6 September 1957. p. 4.
  34. ↑ "New Irish champion". The Glasgow Herald. 24 August 1956. p. 4.
  35. ↑ "E. Jones wins Irish title". The Glasgow Herald. 2 September 1955. p. 4.
  36. ↑ "Bradshaw's ninth success". The Glasgow Herald. 17 July 1954. p. 9.
  37. ↑ "Bradshaw Irish champion". The Glasgow Herald. 10 September 1953. p. 9.
  38. ↑ "Daly wins third Irish title". The Glasgow Herald. 29 August 1952. p. 7.
  39. ↑ "Bradshaw retains Irish title". The Glasgow Herald. 24 August 1951. p. 7.
  40. ↑ "Bradshaw again Irish champion". The Glasgow Herald. 26 August 1950. p. 6.
  41. ↑ "Irish Championship". The Times. 2 September 1949. p. 6.
  42. ↑ "Bradshaw's golf record". The Glasgow Herald. 1 August 1947. p. 2.
  43. ↑ "Another title for Daly". The Glasgow Herald. 2 August 1946. p. 6.
  44. ↑ "John M'Kenna". The Glasgow Herald. 31 August 1945. p. 6.
  45. ↑ "Irish Professional Golf Champion". The Glasgow Herald. 21 August 1944. p. 5.
  46. ↑ "Irish Professional title retained". The Glasgow Herald. 20 August 1943. p. 5.
  47. ↑ "Harry Bradshaw". The Glasgow Herald. 22 August 1941. p. 8.
  48. ↑ "Mahon wins again". The Glasgow Herald. 16 June 1939. p. 21.
  49. ↑ "Mahon retains Irish title". The Glasgow Herald. 2 September 1938. p. 18.
  50. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 20 August 1937. p. 7.
  51. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 28 August 1936. p. 6.
  52. ↑ "Irish native title won by S. Fairweather". The Glasgow Herald. 5 September 1935. p. 20.
  53. ↑ "New Irish Professional Champion". The Glasgow Herald. 26 July 1934. p. 16.
  54. ↑ "Scot professional champion of Ireland". The Glasgow Herald. 22 July 1933. p. 3.
  55. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 29 July 1932. p. 4.
  56. ↑ "Holder and ex-holder tie for Irish title". The Glasgow Herald. 31 July 1931. p. 4.
  57. ↑ "Holder retains Irish title". The Glasgow Herald. 1 August 1931. p. 15.
  58. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 29 August 1930. p. 6.
  59. ↑ "The Irish Professional Championship". The Times. 4 October 1929. p. 6.
  60. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Times. 26 April 1928. p. 8.
  61. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 29 April 1927. p. 6.
  62. ↑ "Irish Professional Native Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 4 June 1926. p. 11.
  63. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 6 June 1925. p. 11.
  64. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 7 June 1924. p. 11.
  65. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 25 May 1923. p. 12.
  66. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 5 May 1922. p. 12.
  67. ↑ "The Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 7 May 1921. p. 14.
  68. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 24 May 1920. p. 14.
  69. ↑ "Irish Professional Championship". The Glasgow Herald. 17 May 1919. p. 9.
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