Excitement Builds for the 114th Irish PGA Championship at Palmerstown House
The countdown to the 114th Irish PGA Championship is rapidly accelerating as the prestigious event of the Irish PGA Region approaches, set to begin in just over three weeks at Palmerstown House in Kildare.
Returning inland after three years at the Wild Atlantic Dunes Course at Carne Golf Links, the Championship will be held on the par-72 Palmerstown course near Naas. This layout, extending over 7,400 yards from the back tees, is renowned for its parkland beauty, challenging par-5s, and water hazards on 12 of its 18 holes. The recently renovated par-3 10th, now an island green, promises to test every aspect of the players’ skills over the three-round tournament.
Defending champion and 2023 Irish PGA Order of Merit winner David Higgins aims to join the elite ranks of multiple winners like Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley. However, he faces strong competition from Simon Thornton, Damien McGrane, and current Order of Merit leader Tim Rice. Rice, dominant in 2024 with victories at Malahide, Carne, and Newlands, leads the standings, but Thornton, with two wins and a shared title, is also a formidable contender.
The event also features emerging talents like Liam Grehan from the K Club, who has shown exceptional form this year. Other notable participants include Richard Kilpatrick, Michael McGeady, Colm Moriarty, Niall Kearney, Richard O’Donovan, and Andrew Hickey.
The Championship will commence with a Pro-Am on Tuesday, August 6th, followed by the main event from August 7th to 9th. PGA Ireland Manager Conor Dillon expressed excitement about returning to Palmerstown, last hosting the event in 2005, while Palmerstown House General Manager Jerry Power and Director of Golf Graham Byrne highlighted the course’s readiness and their enthusiasm for hosting the prestigious competition.
As the Irish PGA Championship approaches, golf fans can look forward to an exhilarating week of top-tier golf at Palmerstown House.
