Rice fires 18th hole stunner to win Munster PGA series at Castletroy with eight-birdie 66

Derek Sheahan (Captain, Castletroy 2023) presenting Tim Rice with his prize alongside Gary Howie (Head Professional Castletroy GC)

Tim Rice hit a five-iron to three feet at the 18th to finish with four birdies in a row and win the Munster PGA Winter Series event by a shot at Castletroy with a superb 66.

The Limerick man took advantage of excellent conditions for the time of year and with the greens rolling and the ground firm underfoot, he made eight birdies to win by one from Ballyneety’s Gavin Young.

Tim Rice hits his tee shot to the 14th.

After birdies at the second, sixth, seventh and 12th and made up for a double bogey at the par-three 14th, where he found the penalty area, with birdies at the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th.

He won by a shot from Ballyneety’s Gavin Young, who birdied the third, fifth, seventh, 15th, 16th and 17th with this only mistake a bogey at the treacherous 14th.

Castletroy’s Jack Ryan with third with a 69 in which he followed his lone bogey at the third with birdies at the sixth, seventh, 10th and 15th.

Winter Series for PGA Professionals in Munster, Castletroy 25 November 2022 (Par 72)

1st Tim Rice (Limerick) 66

2nd Gavin Young (Ballyneety) 67

3rd Jack Ryan (Castletroy) 69

4th Paul O'Neill (Shannon) 71

5th David Ryan (East Cork) 72

6th Eanna Jones (Nenagh) 73; Gary Howie (Castletroy) 73

8th Paul Eivers (Cahir Park) 74; Dave Carroll (Ballyneety) 74.

Next event: Ceann Sibeal, 12 December.