Cian McNamara edged out John Kelly and Peter Jones to win the PGA Challenge Pro-Am at Carton House. The Monkstown professional was cruising along at five under par after 13 holes at the O'Meara Course but a couple of late bogeys almost cost him the title.

McNamara went to the turn in three under 34 with birdies at the first, sixth and ninth. He picked up two more shots at the 11th and 13th but dropped shots at the 14th and 16th saw him sign for a three under par round of 70.

However, his target could not be overhauled, with Kelly (St Margaret's Golf & CC) and Jones (Coollattin GC) finishing a shot shy on two under par.

The opening round of the two-day PGA Challenge sponsored by Johnston Mooney & O'Brien gets underway tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7.30am.

The competitors will be competing on the redesigned O'Meara Course, featuring a new par five opening hole and a tough closing par four 18th.

The team event was won by Massereene's Noel Murray with a superb score of 92 points, three shots better than nearest competitor, Carton's Director of Golf, Francis Howley.

PGA Challenge Pro Am, Carton House (O'Meara)

Leading Scores

1 Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC) 70

T2 Peter Jones (Coollattin GC) 71

T2 John Kelly (St Margaret's Golf & CC) 71

T4 Damian Mooney (Ballyliffin GC) 72

T4 Francis Howley (Carton House GC) 72

T4 David Ryan (Cahir Park GC) 72

T7 Noel Murray (Massereene GC) 73

T7 Barrie Trainor (Cairndhu GC) 73

T9 Graeme Dunlea (Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort) 75

T9 Brendan McGovern (Headfort Golf Club) 75

T9 Robert Giles (Greenore GC) 75

T9 Michael McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) 75

Team Scores

1 Noel Murray 92

2 Francis Howley 89

3 John Dignam 88

T4 Damian Mooney 87

T4 Peter Jones 87

T4 John Kelly 87