Simon Thornton said that winning his fourth Irish PGA Championship last week was an extra special experience because his son Ryan was caddying. The 13-year-old Ryan, despite having a broken bone in his elbow, helped his father to win the competition by two strokes.
Simon said he was delighted to have Ryan with him during three days of competition, as his son has ambitions of following in his father’s footsteps. “He’s just starting his golfing journey, so for him to experience it at close quarters, hopefully he can learn something about dealing with pressure and how to play the game when under the gun.”
Simon certainly proved that he knows how to play under pressure, as he had to fight off plenty of challengers at Monkstown Golf Course from Tuesday to Thursday. He shot a four-under 66 on the first day to take the lead. Then on the second day, he worked hard for a one-under 69, and led by one stroke going into the final day’s competition.
The Newcastle resident managed to put in a brilliant back nine on the third day to secure a victory. He finished on nine under, two strokes ahead of Sean O’Donoghue from Mount Wolseley Golf and Country Club. Notable players who were in the hunt included Ardglass’s Cormac Sharvin, who finished in third place on six under, and Banbridge’s Richard Kilpatrick, who was tied for ninth place at one over.
Simon had something of an advantage at the three-day Brown and Brown Irish PGA Championship. After a long career of playing on the European Tour — where he made 51 cuts, three top tens, and a victory at the Najeti Hotels et Golfs Open in Lumbres, France — his experience over longer stretches helped him.
The championship is a 54-hole stroke-play event with 18 holes each day. The field of 102 players was cut to 50 (including ties) after 36 holes. This is in contrast to the regular pro-am events, which last just one or two days.
Simon said, “The event was tougher because it was three days of competition, but my game is suited to longer events, so I knew I had a better chance than most over the three rounds.”
The event was also significant as it marked Simon’s fourth Irish PGA Championship win. He previously won the tournament in 2011, 2018, and 2021. He now joins Paul McGinley and Philip Walton on the roll of honour list, with all three having won the event four times.
Ahead of him on that list are some legends, including Des Smyth and Padraig Harrington, who have won it six times, while the record holders are Christy O’Connor Senior and Harry Bradshaw, who both claimed the title ten times.
On how close he can get to those men, Simon was realistic about his chances. “It depends on fitness probably. I’m not getting any younger. If I don’t win any more, I’d be delighted with four, but I’d like to get another one.”
The Brown and Brown Irish PGA Championship is open to any PGA member, affiliated members and assistants resident in Ireland who is attached to a golf facility, or any Irish-born PGA professional, either by qualifying or exemption. The tournament is Ireland’s oldest professional golf competition and dates back to 1907.
In terms of the season’s competition, Simon is well in the lead in the Irish Regional Order of Merit — almost 10,000 ranking points ahead of his nearest rival, Tim Rice from Limerick Golf Club.
Simon played the Fred Daly Memorial Pro-Am yesterday at Balmoral Golf Club.
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