Damian Mooney continues to show the winning form so evident all season which saw him finish second in the Lexus Race to Mount Juliet in association with PING on Saturday – but also reach the European Tour Final Qualifying Stage.
This seasons the Belfast man has come first in the Westmanstown Pro Am and shared first place at Fota Island with David Higgins. He also secured four other wins and a share of fourth place at the Irish PGA Championship in Seapoint – having also led the even for the first two days.
Playing alongside course designer Des Smyth on the opening day Mooney set a blistering pace with five birdies in his opening six holes which he held until Saturday afternoon when David Mortimer and Damien McGrane moved up the leader board to pair them together in the final round.
At the European Tour School Stage 1 in Dundonald Links Damian Mooney finished second to Wallace Booth of Scotland and was the leading Irish player – almost from the outset - in very difficult weather. Mooney emerged as one of the five Irish players to make it through to Stage 2 at Dundonald and since his return from Scotland has continued to play well.
But then again it is no surprise as the forty two year old Mooney has been a regular winner on the Irish Region over the years playing in numerous Irish Open’s with several appearances also at the PGA Championship at Wentworth to his credit.
At the 3 Irish Open this year in Killarney Club Mooney failed to make the cut - as did all the Irish PGA Region players – with Barrie Trainor of Team Ireland the only exception. In the Irish PGA Order of Merit Damian Mooney’s best finish was second in 2003 – losing out to David Higgins that year.
Since 1999 the Northern Ireland professional has battled with Tour School qualification reaching the final stage in 2007 at the San Roque Golf Club – but falling outside the automatic
places - in what was his best season as he played in a number of Challenge Tour events; Tessali-Metaponto Open di Puglia e Basilicata, Abierto Telefonica de Guatemala, Kai Fieberg Costa Rica Open and the Club Colombia Masters
This season Mooney has started his eleventh attempt at Q School, and at Stage 2 in Costa Ballena Golf Resort recently, finished tied 3rd - only three shots off the winner, Eirik Tage Johansen.
Mooney now travels to PGA Catalunya - with more than just hope on his side - for six rounds of final qualifying and the sole representative from the Irish PGA Region.
Fact File:
DOB: May 30th, 1968
Attachment: None
Turned Professional: 1987 (Plus 4)
Qualifying School: 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
