February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Browne, who did little of note on the European Tour this year, overcame a first-round 75 with three sub-70 rounds to finish 11 under par at 277 (75-65-68-69). That put him in sixth place, four strokes off Carl Suneson’s winning score. The (10,000 that accompanied that finish elevated Browne to 19th on the Tour money list for 2005, good enough for a place on next year’s European Tour.
Also graduating to the European Tour are Michael Hoey and David Higgins, who tied for 16th and 24th places, respectively, in Italy. Hoey shot 281 (69-72-72-68), while Higgins carded 285 (70-74-72-69). Hoey finished eighth on the money, with Higgins in 12th place.
Colm Moriarty also was on the course in Italy, shooting 286 (79-69-68-70) for a piece of the 30th position.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Gary Murphy fell farthest and hardest in the Mallorca Classic at Pula Golf Club in Spain. Just a stroke off the lead after the first round, Murphy lost his touch and finished the tournament at the bottom of the leaderboard in 80th position. After picking up six birdies over the first round, he came up with just two on Friday and none at all over the final two rounds. His cards totaled 294 (66-74-78-76), which was 14 strokes over par and 24 behind the victorious Jose Maria Olazabal. Damien McGrane also contested the event and tied for 48th place at 284 (72-71-68-73).
CHAMPIONS TOUR
Mark McNulty finished in joint 11th place in the SBC Championship at Oak Hills Country Club in San Antonio, Texas. His 206 (65-72-69) was seven strokes under par and a like number behind Jay Haas, the medalist.
COLLEGES
Wofford’s Neil O’Briain, a freshman from Dublin, tied for third place in the RE/Max-UTC Fall Classic at Valleybrook Country Club in Hixson, Tenn. At 210 (74-66-70) for 54 holes, O’Briain finished three strokes under par and four strokes behind Chattanooga’s Bryce Ledford, the medallist. Also in the field was a pair of Dublin frosh for Francis Marion. Andrew Pitcher shot 220 (71-72-77) for a share of 33rd place, while teammate Ronan O’Connor was slotted in 69th position with his 229 (79-75-75). Troy’s Keith Crowley, a freshman from Ballincollig, Co. Cork, finished joint 75th at 231 (79-77-75).
South Alabama’s Jonny Caldwell tied for 12th place in the Louisiana Tech Classic at Squire Creek in Choudrant, La. The sophomore from Clandeboye, Co. Down, shot even-par 216 (73-71-72) to finish five strokes off the low number.
Pfeiffer’s Nikki Taggart shared seventh place in the Patsy Rendleman Invitational at the Country Club of Salisbury in Salisbury, N.C. The Belfast sophomore shot 157 (79-78) to finish 12 strokes off the winning score. Teammate Charlene Reid, a freshman from County Antrim, carded 163 (85-78), which was good for a piece of 16th place. North Carolina State sophomore Dawn-Marie Conaty, a Dubliner, tied for 14th place at 162 (85-77).