With the 114th Irish PGA Championship just four days away, anticipation is building for the showpiece event in the region as it returns to Palmerstown House Estate for the first time since 2005.
Padraig Harrington was the winner in ’05, capturing the third of his titles before going on to win three more in succession as the event was hosted by the European Club from 2007 through 2009.
With three victories each since 2011, Simon Thornton, Damien McGrane and defending champion David Higgins are each looking to rubberstamp their credentials as the dominant force in the post-Harrington era, but PGA Ireland Manager Conor Dillon feels that the standard of play has been so high in 2024 that any one of a wide number of entrants could get their name on the trophy this year.
“Yeah, the standard is very high,” Dillon said, “and just to give an example of that, in Elm Park, Colm Moriarty, shot a course record last year and he shot the same score again this year at Elm Park.
“He shot a seven-under 62, but he had to to win because Simon Thornton finished with a 63 and he just came up one shot short.
“So the standard is exceptional, you know, and any given week, anyone can win but you have to be well under par to be in contention.”
Having gone head-to-head with regularity over the season, the final preparations for the leading contenders have varied widely. Order of Merit leader Tim Rice signed off with another victory – his fifth of the season – at the Bellewstown Pro-Am, meaning he arrives at Palmerstown looking for three-in-a-row after victory at Delgany the week prior.
Thornton was competing in the Irish Challenge at the K Club, Higgins is competing at the Staysure Seniors PGA Championship on the Legends Tour in Scotland, and Colm Moriarty, as part of his PGA Cup preparations, headed to the Belfry and then onto Copt Heath for a PGA Open Series event.
Many others, however, have been making reconnaissance trips to County Kildare to ensure that they are familiar with the course that has seen recent redevelopment and the par-3 10th hole turned from a heavily-bunker-surrounded to an island green.
“I think the weather the weather has been quite favourable for good growth and the golf course is in perfect shape,” said Dillon, “so it’s shaping up to be a great event.
“And I know a lot of PGA members have been going down to play practise rounds at Palmerstown over the last 10 days. They’re quite active and posting some videos that they took from the venue on social media, so it seems to be quite busy already.”
The tournament kicks off with a Pro-Am on Tuesday before the Championship itself is decided over 54 holes from Wednesday through Friday, and there are still limited spaces available for amateurs to enter a team and test their mettle alongside the pros.
“There are 43 to 45 teams in it at the moment,” said Dillon, “and it’s a great way to launch the Championship itself. It would be great to see the tee sheet full, but either way, It’s going to be a great Championship.
“The roll of honour is incredible with the likes of Padraig Harrington, Christy O’Connor Snr, Harry Bradshaw, Paul McGinley, Darren Clarke, Des Smyth and many others. It’s such a historic championship that it’s a piece of silverware that everybody is really keen to get their hands on.”
There are still limited spaces for the Pro-Am morning session which will begin with a shotgun start and cost is €550 per team of three, and if you wish to join, contact Palmerstown House directly at 045 901 906, or via email by clicking here.
