Monkstown’s Cian McNamara pictured at his custom fitting bay at the range in Monkstown Golf Club. Picture: Niall O’Shea

Cian McNamara booked his place in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this week with a dramatic playoff win this evening in Rosapenna.  The Monkstown professional was tied for fourth place after the opening round, and at the end of 36 holes he was tied with tour professional Kevin Phelan for the fourth and final qualifying place.  It was the Limerick native who won through in the play-off.  After halving the first playoff hole, Phelan’s approach to the second found the rough and two putts meant that he carded a five.  McNamara was on in two with around 30 feet for birdie.  He rolled his birdie putt up to less than two feet and tapped in the par to win the final place.  He now faces a tough decision on whether to travel to St Anne’s Old Links on Tuesday for final qualifying for the Open Championship in what’s sure to be a busy week.

Simon Thornton won the event and claimed the top prize of €6,000 a well as a spot in Thursday’s Irish Open Field.  Neil O’Briain and Colm Moriarty claimed the other two spots on offer.

Jack Howard carded another solid round of 74 to finish in the top twenty and Davey Barry was just three shots back in 22nd place.  Padraig Dooley was 25th as was amateur James Sugrue and Conor Coyne.