Moriarty Closing In On 2008 European Tour Card - 22/03/2007

COLM Moriarty has moved a step nearer to playing on the 2008 European Tour after winning a Challenge Tour competition.

Irishman Moriarty, 28, has enjoyed a fine season on the PGA EuroPro Tour with a victory at event one at Wensum Valley, Norfolk, with further top ten finishes at three other tournaments.

His performances saw him given an invite into the FIRSTPLUS Wales Challenge, which was held at the Vale Hotel Golf and Spa Resort on the outskirts of Cardiff.

Moriarty (pictured right) was included in a 152-man field and he grasped his opportunity by shooting scores of 68, 65 and 70 to finish on 13-under and win the event, three shots ahead of Chile's Felipe Aguilar.

This victory gave Athlone-based Moriarty €20,800 in prize money and shot him up to 34th in the Challenge Tour Order of Merit, an increase of 142 places from his previous position of 176th before his Welsh success.

He can now play in the rest of the Challenge Tour events this season and has a great chance of finishing in the top 20 on their Order of Merit to guarantee a spot on the 2008 European Tour.

Ironically, his next Challenge Tour competition will come at his home course of the Glasson Golf Hotel and Country Club and the tournament, which runs from August 2 to August 5, has a prize fund of €150,000.

Moriarty's success is also good news for players on the PGA EuroPro Tour. At the end of the season the top five men on the EuroPro Tour Order of Merit will gain Challenge Tour cards for next year.

However, Moriarty, who is currently second in the EuroPro Tour rankings and expected to compete in the Tour Championships in October, is now already guaranteed a place on at least the Challenge Tour in 2008 as a result of his recent triumph.

If he finishes in the top five of the EuroPro Tour Order of Merit, then the player who comes sixth will now also qualify for the Challenge Tour.

Date posted: August 1, 2007