SIMON Thornton is enjoying a fantastic start to his golfing season, as he has won three out of his eight events in the Irish PGA Open series.
The Newcastle golfer was joint winner at Druids Glen Pro Am at Mountkennedy in the third week of May. He won the Philip Walton Pro Am at Malahide on May 29 with a score of six under. Then he won the Carne Pro Am in Belmullet, a two-day event, a week ago.
He said that work to his game during the off season has paid off.
“The season has been going well to be fair,” Simon said.
“I had not had a great start. I didn’t drive the ball well or putt well, but I am starting to get going in the last couple of weeks.
“I was a bit disappointed with my putting earlier in the year, but I have worked hard on it and got it back to where it should be. Hopefully I can build on these results and continue them through the year.
“There are going to be ups and downs as there always are but it has been a good start so far.
“All the hard work that I have been putting in has been paying off.”
His most recent win was at the event in Belmullet where he won by a shot from Brian McElhinney. Simon shot -4 on the first day and -3 the second day.
“Carne over in Belmullet just suits my eye. It is a spectacular links golf course. You have got to plot your way around. It really suits my game to be fair.
“It is all the shots that I am used to laying here in Newcastle. I hit it lovely off the tee and putted well. That is where the score came from. I have had three wins this year and three seconds out of eight events. So I am playing nicely.”
He explained his approach for the next few months.
“All I want to do is to keep consistency for the rest of the season, and keep playing like I am doing right now. Then I won’t be too far away by the end of the season. Hopefully I can pick up a few more wins. And some good performances throughout the year.”
Simon Thornton form in 2026
T15 at Thurles (May 1).
Second place at the Beaverstown Pro Am in Donabate (May 11).
Joint winner of the Druids Glen Pro Am at Mountkennedy (May 21).
T16 Rathfarnham Pro Am in Dublin (May 22).
Won the Philip Walton Pro Am at Malahide six under (May 29).
T2 Clontarf Pro Am Dublin (May 30).
T2 Stackstown Pro Am in Dublin (which Padraig Harrington won by two strokes) (May 31).
Won Carne Pro Am Belmullet (June 6-7).
