McGrane seeks to become multiple winner

Damien McGrane, has no intentions of handing over the Irish PGA Championship trophy without a fight. Having waited so long to win the title, Damien will return to Moyvalley Hotel & Golf Resort (June 22-25) determined to make it two in a row.

“The hardest thing by far for me was just getting that first one,” said the 45-year-old.

“Now that I have won it, hopefully that’s opened the floodgates for me. I would love to press on and become a multiple winner of the Irish Championship.

“I am looking forward to returning to Moyvalley and with a bit of good form, I believe I can run it close again.”

McGrane made his long awaited breakthrough at the Co Kildare venue last September, edging out Simon Thornton by a shot after a tense back nine battle.

The Kells man holed a number of crucial putts over the closing holes to stay ahead of Thornton and he believes that having a razor-sharp short game will be the key to success over the Twin Oaks Championship course in 2017.

“Last year the weather was poor. The course was in good condition but the weather didn’t lead to low scoring,” he said.

“Moyvalley is not overly difficult off the tee so ultimately it will boil down to something of a short game contest. Anyone looking to do well will have to perform around the greens.

“Moving the tournament to a better date will hopefully help with the weather but a lot of the players probably won’t just be as match fit because it is a bit earlier in the season.

“Mind you, the Irish Championship remains the highlight of the season and I can see most of the guys going out of their way to get some golf and get some practice under their belts before they arrive at Moyvalley.”

The Irish Championship forms the centre piece of a competition schedule that will see Damien play events on the Irish region alongside the BMW PGA Championship, the Irish Open and the Challenge Tour.

“I have been away so much over the course of my career that I have very little interest in travelling,” he added.

“I am at a different stage in my career now and I enjoy playing the Irish Region but I am still very competitive as a person so I want to play well when I go out to play and I expect to do well.

“I finished in the top 10 top at the Challenge Tour event at Galgorm Castle last year. Whenever I get a chance to demonstrate that competitive edge I will load up the car and go down the road.”