David Higgins of Waterville will remain in familiar Kerry territory as he steps back into European Tour action at the Killarney Golf and Fishing club next week competing in the 3 Irish Open courtesy of finishing number in the Irish PGA Region Order of Merit last season.
Since losing his Tour Card Higgins has remained very active and has benefited from his 2009 number one finish as it earned him an exemption to play in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last May.
A few weeks ago in the Local Final Qualifier for the 150th Open Championship Higgins missed out by a couple of strokes - shooting a first round of 66 which was followed by a 73 – and unable to match last year when he qualified for Turnberry.
Last November the Waterville Professional failed to regain his tour card at the European Tour Qualifying School but retained his focus on the Irish circuit this season and currently leads the 2010 Lexus Race to Mount Juliet Irish PGA Order of Merit.
In one of the major regional events this season, the Quinn Insurance Pro Am in June, David Higgins held off the challenge of a few current European Tour players, particularly Damien McGrane, by carding two consecutive rounds of 66 to win the event by three strokes.
At the City of Derry Pro Am last weekend Higgins shot rounds of 68 and 64 to hold the lead at the end of the second day by two shots from Damien McGrane. However in the final round it was McGrane who carded the lowest score of 64 to secure a win by four shots from the Waterville man - who signed for a 70.
Adare Manor in 2007 was David Higgins last appearance at the Irish Open where he finished in a share of 37th place.
Since losing his Tour Card Higgins has remained very active and has benefited from his 2009 number one finish as it earned him an exemption to play in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last May.
A few weeks ago in the Local Final Qualifier for the 150th Open Championship Higgins missed out by a couple of strokes - shooting a first round of 66 which was followed by a 73 – and unable to match last year when he qualified for Turnberry.
Last November the Waterville Professional failed to regain his tour card at the European Tour Qualifying School but retained his focus on the Irish circuit this season and currently leads the 2010 Lexus Race to Mount Juliet Irish PGA Order of Merit.
In one of the major regional events this season, the Quinn Insurance Pro Am in June, David Higgins held off the challenge of a few current European Tour players, particularly Damien McGrane, by carding two consecutive rounds of 66 to win the event by three strokes.
At the City of Derry Pro Am last weekend Higgins shot rounds of 68 and 64 to hold the lead at the end of the second day by two shots from Damien McGrane. However in the final round it was McGrane who carded the lowest score of 64 to secure a win by four shots from the Waterville man - who signed for a 70.
Adare Manor in 2007 was David Higgins last appearance at the Irish Open where he finished in a share of 37th place.
