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| Photo Jan Kruger / Getty Images Europe |
Mortimer was in the third last group and after posting the leading score in the clubhouse moved across to the practice range to wait for the last two chasing groups to complete their rounds.
In the second last group Stuart Little of England was only one shot adrift on 8 under but could par the last to finish with a 73 on 8 under. The Galway native then had to wait for the joint overnight leaders – David Shacklady and Robert Giles – to make their way to the eighteenth in order to learn his fate.
Robert Giles of Greenore in the end signed for a 74 - despite an eagle on the 7th hole - dropping three shots on the back nine to leave him out of contention and settle for a share of 7th place on four under.
David Shacklady ended with a 69 - having completed the final three holes in level par – and unable to stretch his lead further from the waiting Mortimer and so the PGA Championship went to a play off.
It was the Irish player who emerged from the play off victorious and collected the winner’s cheque of ten thousand pounds adding to the Irish PGA title Mortimer won in 2006. The Fore Ireland pro based at the GUI Academy at Carton House clinched the title on the second extra play-off hole with a 20 foot birdie when Shacklady's putt from 15 feet lipped out.
"It was a nice way to finish, it was hard luck on Dave he played a good hole but I just managed to sneak one in there," said Mortimer. "I wasn't too nervous in the play-off. I enjoyed it and actually hit a couple of good shots.
"It's my first time playing in the Glenmuir, I always wanted to see what the standard was and to be honest I just holed a few putts at the right time. I didn't play particularly great all week but the golf course wasn't too punishing with the rough so you can get away with it."
Shacklady had no complaints and in fact nearly won it in regulation play with a sensational pitch shot that landed 20ft past the pin and span back missing the hole by inches. This was after he'd driven into a bunker on 18 and could only play up to 70 yards from the pin.
"It wasn't quite enough but I can't complain about the week, I've enjoying it immensely especially the way I've played under pressure," said Shacklady. "I felt like I was always going to have a good chance of winning. I was watching the leader boards thinking two pars on the last might do it but David birdied the last which I wasn't thinking was in the equation so fair play to him for doing that.
"You don't get a sterner test than four rounds around here against the best players so losing a play-off is no problem - it would have been lovely to win it but so be it."
Overnight leader Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) endured a mixed round including a double bogey on the par four 10th when he found water. He got to eight under and needed a birdie at the last to join the play off but left his putt just short. His 73 earned him third place at eight-under- par, a stroke ahead of Cherry Burton's John Wells.
Donal Gleeson of Old Conna also carded a 68 and finished 3 under to take a share of 10th place.
John Kelly [77] of St. Margaret’s Golf and Country Club and John Dwyer of Ashbourne [74] finished on 2 over in a tie for 18th place.
FORE Ireland was set up in 2009 to promote golf in Ireland, manage events and support players on the European Tour - or trying to reach that goal.
FORE Ireland also provides PR coverage for Irish golfers, in particular Team Ireland players, competing on the Challenge Tour, Ladies European Tour and the European Tour.
Team members currently include Michael Collins; David Mortimer; Mark Staunton; Ted Higgins; Kevin Dorrian and 1995 Ryder Cup winner, Philip Walton
David Shacklady ended with a 69 - having completed the final three holes in level par – and unable to stretch his lead further from the waiting Mortimer and so the PGA Championship went to a play off.
It was the Irish player who emerged from the play off victorious and collected the winner’s cheque of ten thousand pounds adding to the Irish PGA title Mortimer won in 2006. The Fore Ireland pro based at the GUI Academy at Carton House clinched the title on the second extra play-off hole with a 20 foot birdie when Shacklady's putt from 15 feet lipped out.
"It was a nice way to finish, it was hard luck on Dave he played a good hole but I just managed to sneak one in there," said Mortimer. "I wasn't too nervous in the play-off. I enjoyed it and actually hit a couple of good shots.
"It's my first time playing in the Glenmuir, I always wanted to see what the standard was and to be honest I just holed a few putts at the right time. I didn't play particularly great all week but the golf course wasn't too punishing with the rough so you can get away with it."
Shacklady had no complaints and in fact nearly won it in regulation play with a sensational pitch shot that landed 20ft past the pin and span back missing the hole by inches. This was after he'd driven into a bunker on 18 and could only play up to 70 yards from the pin.
"It wasn't quite enough but I can't complain about the week, I've enjoying it immensely especially the way I've played under pressure," said Shacklady. "I felt like I was always going to have a good chance of winning. I was watching the leader boards thinking two pars on the last might do it but David birdied the last which I wasn't thinking was in the equation so fair play to him for doing that.
"You don't get a sterner test than four rounds around here against the best players so losing a play-off is no problem - it would have been lovely to win it but so be it."
Overnight leader Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) endured a mixed round including a double bogey on the par four 10th when he found water. He got to eight under and needed a birdie at the last to join the play off but left his putt just short. His 73 earned him third place at eight-under- par, a stroke ahead of Cherry Burton's John Wells.
Donal Gleeson of Old Conna also carded a 68 and finished 3 under to take a share of 10th place.
John Kelly [77] of St. Margaret’s Golf and Country Club and John Dwyer of Ashbourne [74] finished on 2 over in a tie for 18th place.
FORE Ireland was set up in 2009 to promote golf in Ireland, manage events and support players on the European Tour - or trying to reach that goal.
FORE Ireland also provides PR coverage for Irish golfers, in particular Team Ireland players, competing on the Challenge Tour, Ladies European Tour and the European Tour.
Team members currently include Michael Collins; David Mortimer; Mark Staunton; Ted Higgins; Kevin Dorrian and 1995 Ryder Cup winner, Philip Walton
