Damien McGrane prominent at Austrian Open

An excellent closing round of 65 earned a share of sixth place for Damien McGrane at the Austrian Open at Atzenbrugg on Sunday. McGrane's round included six birdies and an eagle on the par-five 13th and he shared sixth place with Englishman Chris Gane. The tournament was won by Jose Manuel Lara from Spain who defeated England's David Lynn in a play-off after both golfers finished on 17 under par, four shots better off than McGrane. The weekend could have been even better for McGrane had he not shot a disappointing 76 on Friday. However, that was his only poor round as a 67 on Thursday and again on Saturday allied to his closing 65 secured joint-sixth place and a prize of €24,375. The Headfort professional now lies in 47th place in the Race to Dubai rankings. He is ideally placed to make the top 60 which will gain entry into the lucrative season-ending Dubai World Championship. The climax to the European tour season takes place at the Jumeirah Golf Estates' Earth course in Dubai from 25th to 28th November. McGrane, who is currently ranked 163 in the world has amassed €479,923 from 24 tournaments this season with his biggest pay cheque coming in May's BMW championship where he pocketed €51,422 for a share of 17th place. The betting for the Ladbrokes.com Irish PGA Championship at Seapoint this weekend is headed by McGrane (4/1) and Shane Lowry (7/1). Another kells golfer, Brendan McGovern, is joint-seventh favourite to win the title. Ladbrokes are offering quarter odds on the first six finishers for this year's event and has also introduced a new special - 'Ryder Back the Years' - If Ryder Cup legend and six times Irish PGA Champion Des Smyth wins the Ladbrokes.com Irish PGA Championship they will refund all losing stakes as a free bet on the Ryder Cup! Smyth is currently priced at 16/1.