THE new season of PGA Ulster Grand Prix events began at Dunmurry Golf Club on Monday and finished with Simon Thornton and David Leathem sharing top of the professionals' leaderboard.
They both posted a five-under-par 65 as Thornton highlighted his card with a rare golden eagle two at the 271 yards par four 14th hole. He shot down four birdies, as well. A birdie three, at the second hole, where he wedged to 20 feet and holed got him going but he missed the green at the sixth to wipe out the early advantage.
Further birdie threes at the eighth hole, where he steered a seven iron to eight feet, and the 11th, a wedge to one foot, arrived before the eagle flew in. For it, Thornton drove the green to 20 feet and rolled home the putt. He then rifled a seven iron to six feet for a two at 16.
Leathem could have been away out in front had it not been for a fading finish. He was coasting at seven-under-par after 16 holes but suffered bogey fives at 17 and 18. Both times he missed the green in regulation and failed to get up and down for par.
Leathem (American Golf Boucher Road) pencilled in birdie threes at the first, fifth, sixth, eighth and ninth holes and added a birdie two at the third, as he sank putts of between three and 40 feet, the tramliner being at three sixth hole, after a drive and seven iron to the green.
His front nine was a model of consistency as he made five threes in a row from the fifth to the ninth to turn in six-under-29. He added another birdie three at the 11th hole with a drive and lob wedge to four feet and then matched regulation pars to 16 before that disappointing finish.
This being a gross competition, scratch player Chris Moulds (Lisburn) swept to the top of the amateur's leaderboard on 38 points, two ahead of Andrew Dillon (1, Carrickfergus). Scott Templeton (Holywood) and Andy Adair (Carnalea) both carded 38 nett points with Templeton taking the top prize on countback..
Simon Thornton and local amateur John Coulmihan combined to win the fourball betterball team prize on 44 points.
Desmond Motors PGA Ulster Grand Prix at Dunmurry
Professionals: 65 (-5) – S Thornton (Unattached), D Leathem (American Golf Boucher Road).
68 – C Lyttle (Carrickfergus).
69 – D Mooney (Nevada Bobs Belfast), B McElhinney (North West), C Crangle (Fortwilliam).
71 – M Weir (Spa), C Carvill (Belvoir Pk), J Scullion (Kilkeel).
Amateurs: Gross, 38 pts – C Moulds scr (Lisburn).
36 -A Dillon 1 (Carrickfergus).
Nett, 38 pts -S Templeton 3 (Holywood) … 1st on countback;
38 – A Adair 4 (Carnalea).
Team: Pro S Thornton (Unattached) & Amateur J Coulmihan 5 (Dunmurry).
