Simon Thornton showcased his putting prowess at the opportune moment, delivering a controlled performance to secure his fourth Brown and Brown Irish PGA Championship title at Monkstown Golf Club.
Thornton, who held a one-shot lead overnight, overcame an initial setback to cruise to a two-shot victory at nine-under par, carding a final round of 66 to fend off Sean O’Donoghue of Mount Wolseley.
The former European Tour winner experienced a shaky start with a bogey on the first hole, but recovered with birdies on the third and fourth holes.
O’Donoghue, playing in the group ahead of Thornton, continued his impressive form from the previous day (65), sinking birdies on the third, fourth, fifth, and seventh holes to surge into the lead at eight-under par – three strokes ahead of Thornton.
Thornton remained composed and rediscovered his putting touch, securing birdies on the 10th, 12th, 14th, and 15th holes to establish a three-shot advantage at 10-under par. His improved form on the greens also enabled him to sink crucial par putts on the 16th and 17th holes, maintaining his three-shot lead.
Despite dropping a shot on the final hole, Thornton secured an emotional victory with his son, Ryan, acting as his caddie.
“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.”
