Glasson professional Colm Moriarty is relishing the prospect of donning the Great Britain and Ireland colours twenty-one years after he last did it.
Moriarty is part of the 10-man Great Britain and Ireland team to compete against the United States in September’s PGA Cup in Oregon after securing his place at the PGA Professional Championship last month.
The Irishman last represented GB&I at the 2003 Walker Cup as an amateur and those old feelings are starting to return as his PGA Cup debut looms.
“Delighted, it will be my first PGA Cup I have heard so many great things about the event already, the build up has started in the group and it’s a huge honour to go out there and represent Great Britain and Ireland and bring that trophy back home,” said Moriarty.
Moriarty earned his place on the team via a fifth-place finish at the PGA Professional Championship at Conwy, in North Wales and he’s delighted to get the opportunity to help wrestle the cup back from the United States’ clutches.
“I had a good start last year in the rankings and finished third in the club pros so knew going over there was extra points going over this year. I just wanted to play as well as I could and it was a massive goal of mine and I’m delighted to have my place on the team.”
Simon Thornton’s victory at the PGA Playoffs in Cyprus earlier this year earned him an invitation, but the win also brought invitations to the Amgen Irish Open at Royal County Down, the BMW PGA at Wentworth and the Betfred British Masters at the Belfry.
Since the Irish Open dates clash with the PGA Cup, the Spa professional couldn’t turn down the opportunity to make the short trip to Newcastle, leaving Moriarty as the lone Irish representative this year.
“Simon, David and Damien have told me what a massive event it is. When those boys are saying it it’s obviously a huge occasion, travelling over to Oregon in America makes it extra special and trying to win over there,” said Moriarty.
“When you turn pro there’s so little or practically no team golf at all so it’s fantastic to be part of a Great Britain and Ireland team again so I’m looking forward to it.”