Yates and Lyons top the charts at Portmarnock Links
Jonathan Yates
Jonathan Yates and Joe Lyons have shone brightly this year and it was no surprise to see them scoop the top prizes in the third TaylorMade Winter Series outing of the season.
A total of 123 golfers enjoyed perfect playing conditions at Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links where Alps Tour player Yates fired a two-under 69 to win the nett and Galway Golf Club stalwart Lyons won the gross with a fine 70.
After finishing tied 26th in the Stone Irish Challenge at Headfort last week, Yates birdied the 17th and 18th for his 69 having seen his birdies at the second, fifth and sixth cancelled out by bogeys at the third, eighth and 13th.
It was just the boost the Naas man needed before he heads to Italy with David Carey for next week's Alps Tour Grand Final near Rome.
Joe Lyons. Picture by Pat Cashman
He won the nett by one stroke from St Anne's four-handicapper David Connellan, who posted a 70 turned in level par before mixing three bogeys with six pars coming home.
Celbridge Driving Range-based professional Steven Quinlan won the third gross as he had five birdies and five bogeys in a level par 71.
Lyons got back to level par for the day with a birdie at the 15th, then picked up another shot at the 16th before finishing with two pars for his 70.
One of the heroes in Galway’s AIG Senior Cup win at Westport, the Munster Strokeplay champion took the first gross on a countback from the Links' AJ McCabe.
The local dangerman, McCabe claimed his third prize in as many weeks by going out in level par before following birdies at the 12th and 14th with a bogey at the tough 15th.
Elm Park's Charlie Denvir was third with a level par 71 that featured the best back nine of the day. The plus-two handicapper scorched home in 32 shots with birdies at the 11th, 13th and 18th.
TaylorMade Winter Series, Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links (Par 71)
Nett:
Jonathan Yates (Pro) Naas GC 69
David Connellan (4) St. Anne's GC 70
Steven Quinlan (Pro) SQ Golf 71
Gross:
Joe Lyons (+2) Galway GC 70
AJ McCabe (+2) Portmarnock Links 70
Charlie Denvir (+2) Elm Park GC 71