Paul McGinley today became the first player in 17 years to retain the Smurfit Irish PGA Championship as he finished with an 8-under-par total of 280, five shots clear of second-placed Gary Murphy.
That was the margin at the start of the final round but Murphy kept the pressure on with 3 birdies in 16 holes to close the gap to 3 shots, after McGinley had dropped strokes at the 12th and 14th.
However, the comeback didn't materialise as Murphy double-bogeyed the 18th after being in water off the tee and European Tour star McGinley finished with four straight pars to claim the €20,000 first prize - his fourth victory in the Championship.
Michael Hoey took third place in his first ever appearance in the championship after he, like McGinley and Murphy, carded a level par 72 in his final round.
Filed by James Boylan
