Foley wins again as tidy Yates nets prize at Portmarnock Links

Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley after last year’s Carr Golf Father & Son Invitational victory with his father David in Waterville

Royal Dublin's Hugh Foley was back in the winner's circle as he beat the chill to claim the top gross as Jonathan Yates took the nett in the TaylorMade Winter Series at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links.

While there was a shotgun start in anticipation of a possible frost delay, the 74-strong field got off without a wait and beat the windchill factor in a fresh westerly breeze.

Former West of Ireland winner Yates, who earned his Alps Tour card at the Q-School in Spain shortly before Christmas, shot a bogey-free, four-under par 67 to win the nett as in-form Foley (plus two) matched him to claim the gross for the second week running

Out in three-under with birdies at the first, fourth and sixth, Yates mixed eight pars with a birdie at the 13th on the way home.

Roganstown professional Brendan Walton was second in the nett with a 69 that featured birdies at the fourth, 13th and 18th and a lone bogey at the 15th.

Jonathan Yates. Picture: Pat Cashman

Lucan two-handicapper Mark Clifford also shot a 69 to win the third nett prize, going out in two-under-par as he followed birdies at the first, fourth and eighth with a bogey at the ninth.

He then came home in two over par, mixing birdies at the 10th and 13th with bogeys at the 11th, 14th, 16th and 18th for a level par day.

Foley had six birdies and two bogeys in his 67, going to the turn in two-under-par with birdies at the first, fourth and eighth.

His only mistake on the outward trip came at the fifth. However, he plotted his way home in two-under par with his lone dropped shot coming at the 12th.

Fellow Royal Dublin man Robbie Hynes teed it up with Foley and playing off plus one, he picked up the second gross with an excellent 68.

Knowing he would have to go low to get into the winner's enclosure, Hynes raced home in four-under par, picking off birdies at the 11th, 13th, 14th and 17th holes.

Tullamore's Stuart Grehan, who is now plying his trade on the PGA Europro Tour, was four-over par before he birdied the ninth hole and then came home in one-under par with eight pars and a birdie at the 13th to take the third gross with a two-over 73.

TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71, SSS 72, CSS 73)

Tuesday 22nd January

Nett

1, Jonathan Yates (Pro) Naas GC 67

2, Brendan Walton (Pro) Roganstown GC 69

3, Mark Clifford (2) Lucan GC 69

Gross

1, Hugh Foley (+2) Royal Dublin GC 67

2, Robbie Hynes (+1) Royal Dublin 68

3, Stuart Grehan (Pro) Unattached 73

from News - Irish Golf Desk http://bit.ly/2S4hgay