Thornton triumphs in thriller
Tulfarris touring pro claims Irish PGA Championship
SIMON THORNTON of Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort has emerged victorious having birdied the first extra hole to edge out Glasson’s Colm Moriarty in an exciting finish at the Irish PGA Championship at Roganstown Hotel & Country Club on September 3.
In a thrilling finish, Thornton holed a putt from 30 feet at the par four and claimed his third Irish PGA Championship victory, having first won this championship in 2011 and 2018. His win puts him on the honours roll alongside illustrious multiple former winners including Padraig Harrington, Paul McGinley, Fred Daly, Christy O’Connor and Des Smyth.
‘My approach flew the green and finished on the fringe. I wasn’t sure how the lie was going to be but it wasn’t too bad to be fair,’ Thornton admitted afterwards. ‘I
decided to putt it. It was downhill, left to right. Eight-foot out I knew it was going to be pretty good and six feet out I knew it was in all the way. It was a great feeling!’
Thornton is the touring professional at Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort in Blessington since November 2017 and when he is not competing provides guidance and support to the golf team at the
luxury PREM Group owned golf resort. His career began in Royal County Down where he was an assistant club professional. After progressing through the PGA Irish Region EuroPro Tour and playing on the Challenge Tour in 2009, he earned his European Tour card. In 2013, he claimed his first European Tour win at the Najetis Hotels et Golfs Open in France.