Higgins seeks second Lexus Race to Mount Juliet

David Higins wants to retain the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet this weekend. Pictured during the BMW PGA at Wentworth by Eoin Clarke/Golffile.ieDavid Higgins will have his eyes peeled for Barrie Trainor and Damian Mooney when he tries to retain the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING and Failte Ireland this weekend.

Following 38 qualifying events in the Irish PGA Order of Merit, Higgins tops the charts with 34,699.16 points but holds only a slender 577.91 point lead over Trainor with 10,000 points up for grabs on Sunday evening.

Mooney also in with a chance of clinching the title in the season-ending finale which will see 30 professionals do battle over 36 holes at Mount Juliet on Saturday and Sunday.

The total prize fund is €50,000 with the overall winner of the Order of Merit collecting a bonus of €10,000, second place receiving €7,500 and third place €5,000.

The 36 hole tournament (click here for breakdown) offers a top prize of €4,000 and 10,000 Order of Merit Points for the winner with €2,800 (6,500 points) for the runner up and €2,200 (5,000 points) for the man finishing third.

There are also eight Irish Open qualifying spots available for the top finishers in the Order of Merit and with 50,000 points available for this weekend’s tournament any of the 30 players in action at the Jack Nicklaus designed course in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny can still book his place.

Colin Donovan, Managing Director of Mount Juliet Estate said: “If last year’s season finale is anything to go by we’re in for a treat this weekend for the second Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING and Failte Ireland.

“It’s bigger and better this year with action over three days instead of two and with a host of activities, including a Food and Craft Fair, at Mount Juliet it promises to be a fantastic weekend for visiting golf fans and families.

“The feedback from the pros last year was a real affirmation of our efforts to provide a world class facility here at Mount Juliet and we’re hopeful of similar conditions through the weekend.”

The tournament will be preceded by the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet Pro Am on Friday with an additional €2,500 in prize-money.

The full qualifying field is:

1. David Higgins

2. Barrie Trainor

3. Damian Mooney

4. Michael Collins

5. Mark Staunton

6. John Kelly

7. Mark O’Sullivan

8. David Ryan

9. Donal Gleeson

10. John Dwyer

11. Eamonn Brady

12. Cian McNamara

13. Peter Martin

14. Glen Robinson

15. John P.Dolan

16. Robert Giles

17. James Quinlivan

18. Daniel Sugrue

19. Graeme Dunlea

20. Michael McDermott

21. Brendan McDermott

22. Seamus McMonagle

23. Wayne O’Callaghan

24. Jimmy Bolger

25. Philip Walton

26. Michael Allan

27. Darren McWilliams

28. Eddie Doyle

29. Brendan McGovern

30. Patrick Devine