PRO-AM - Sunday 20th September 2026
Killiney Golf Clubs infamous 18th hole played a pivotal role deciding the winner of the 2026 Killiney GC Pro Am played on Sunday September 20th. Standing on the 18th tee, DP World Tour winner Simon Thornton held a 1 shot lead at 4 under par over former Walker Cup and DP World Tour player Colm Moriarty. Thorntons approach shot finished left of the green and with the flag cut on the front left, he did well to pitch to 20 feet. However his par putt just missed to the right of the hole leaving him to sign for a 3 under par 67. Moriarty meanwhile found the middle of the 18th fairway, but he watched his fine approach shot spin back off the green close to the right hand bunker. Moriarty then produced a moment of sublime brilliance, as his pitch shot found the bottom of the cup and he ended with a 4 under par 66, which was good enough to secure his second Gerry Charlton Cup win at Killiney, following on from his victory in 2017. The foundation of Moriarty’s round were birdies on holes 1, 2, 9, 15 and 18, with his only dropped shot coming at the 11th where his 7 iron approach took an unfortunate bounce and finished left of the green. Thornton also opened with birdies at holes 1 and 2, with more birdies following on holes 7 and 15. However the bogey 5 on the 18th proved costly as he finished in runner up position for the second time in Killiney. Richard Kilpatrick finished third with a 2 under par 68, a roller coaster round saw him make birdies on holes 3, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16 and 18, however 5 bogies ultimately proved costly. Joe Dillon. Damian Mooney and Brian McCormack finished tied 4th on level par 70, with Dillon having a remarkable run on the back 9 with an eagle 2 on hole 12, followed by birdies on the 15th and 16th and another eagle 2 on the 18th.
The average score across the 27 Professionals who took part was 72.5, which is a testimony to the quality of the field assembled and the condition of the golf course, with greens running at over 11 on the Stimpmeter. The Professionals were very complimentary about the condition and speed of the greens, which is a great compliment to the hard work of Course Superintendent Michael Browne, the Course Staff and Course Convenor Brendan Seaver.
The Team Competition was won by Simon Thornton, Emer Kirwan, Brian Kirwan and Stephen Connolly with a remarkable score of 96 points, winning by 3 from Colm Moriarty, Michael Boyce, Niall Tinney and Conrad Lyons.
Our Charity Partners, Down Syndrome Centre, raised over €1,100 on the day, which will provide over 60 hours of therapy for children with Downs Syndrome.
Many thanks to everyone who entered a team, sponsored prizes, our tee sponsors and to the Juniors who caddied on the day. The biggest thanks has to go to Valerie Charlton and Paul Phelan, whose continued sponsorship of the Killiney Pro-Am makes this one of the most special days in our golfing calendar.
Keith Bardon
PRO-AM Event Organiser
L-R: Paul Phelan, Ben Moriarty and Colm Moriarty
L-R: Paul Phelan & Colm Moriarty
Team Prize winners Stephen Connolly, Emer Kirwan & Brian Kirwan pictured with Keith Bardon
Team Prize Runners Up Colm Moriarty, Michael Boyce, Conrad Lyons and Niall Tinney pictured with Ben Moriarty and Keith Bardon.
Team Prize Third Place Aoife Stokes, Barbara Thompson, Glen Robinson and Maureen Flannery pictured with Keith Bardon.
Keith Bardon
