Higgins reigns at Galway Bay
WATERVILLE Links’ David Higgins fired a three-under-par 69 to successfully defend his Galway Bay Resort Pro-Am title.
With a shotgun start in operation, the former tour regular started his round at the 10th and played his opening nine holes in one under par 35 courtesy of a solitary birdie at the 15th.
He picked up another birdie at the first, dropped a shot at the second but responded with back-to-back birdies at the third and fourth to come home in two under 34.
“It was a good three-under round because it was a tough day, it was windy,” said the 44-year-old who played a key role in GB&I’s recent PGA Cup victory over the USA.
“I was in control, it was my type of day. It was blowing a good wind and I knew if I just played well that conditions were right up my street.
“I got the job done, and it’s always nice to go back and retain a title.”
Higgins finished one shot ahead of Colm Moriarty with Damien McGrane back in third after a level par round of 72.
Roganstown’s Brendan Walton and amateur partners, Brendan Lenyski, Matt Kavanagh and Walter McDonagh won the team prize with 95pts.
Galway Bay Golf Resort Pro-Am, Galway Bay Resort (Par 72):
69 D Higgins (Waterville Golf Links); 70 C Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance Ltd); 72 D McGrane; 73 Steven Quinlan (Halpenny GC), S Thornton (Simon Thornton Golf), J Bolger (Kilkenny GC); 74 M McGeady.