Headfort's Brian Casey on the links at Lahinch

Navan golfer Brian Casey is competing in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open having won the  €6,000 qualifier at Moyvalley Golf Club.

The 28 year-old member of Headfort Golf Club in Kells followed a superb 66 with a three-under 69 to win by three strokes from Conor O'Rourke from Naas (27) and The Island's Paul McBride (23) on nine-under-par, in the race for four places in this week's $7 million Rolex Series event.

There was a three-way play-off for the final spot on five-under and Derry's Michael McGeady (41) grabbed it when he birdied the second extra hole to deny Castle amateur Robert Moran (19) and Old Conna's Neil O'Briain, draining a slippery six-footer at the 11th.

"I am absolutely delighted," said Casey who planned to pull out of Final Qualifying for The Open at Notts but can still win one of three spots at Royal Portrush if he’s one of the leading three non-exempt players in the top-10 at Lahinch.

"Just to win today means a lot," he told Irish Golf Desk. "That prize money will keep me going for a while because you are living week to week on the Europro Tour and it's tough. This is a huge boost. I can't even contemplate playing for a $7 million purse when we are playing for €50,000 every week.

 

"I was supposed to play Final Qualifying for The Open on Tuesday, but it's 36 holes, and I wouldn't get a practice round for Lahinch.... So I guess the Irish Open is my major now!"

On Facebook this week, Headfort Golf Club posted: "The very best of luck to Headfort's Brian Casey competing at the Irish Open in Lahinch this week from all of the management, staff and members of the Club!"