In just over a week in the 2026 Irish PGA Open Series, Newcastle golfer Simon Thornton has recorded two second places and a win.
On Friday he was victorious at the Philip Walton Pro-Am at Malahide Golf Club.
He shot six under after three birdies on the front nine and four on the back. His one blemish was a bogey at hole three. He finished three shots ahead of Cameron Raymond.
In his most recent outing (Sunday past) he lost to three-time major winner Padraig Harrington at the Tylestyle Stackstown Pro-Am.
Harrington, who plays his golf mainly on the PGA Tour Champions, birdied his last hole to win by two on a score of six under.
Second place Thornton had made a charge to win after a disastrous start. He bogeyed his first three holes then rallied to finish his opening nine on level par.
On the back nine he went on a four-hole birdie streak. He dropped a shot on the par three 17th, but birdied the last to finish in a tie for second alongside England’s Nicky Grant.
On Saturday at the Redcastle Motors Clontarf Pro-Am, Simon shot two under to finish in second place, also in a tie with Nicky Grant.
Simon told the Mourne Observer earlier this year that he was keen to be as successful as he could as he is building towards joining the Legends Tour after he turns 50 next year.
That plan appears to be working very well.
Simon was a joint winner of the Irish Life Druids Glen Pro Am on May 21.
He is leading the Order of Merit after seven events.
