The Irish PGA Championship, formerly the Irish Professional Championship and colloquially known as the Irish Professional Close or National Championship, is a golf tournament that is played annually in Ireland since 1907. It is one of the oldest golf tournaments in the world, the oldest in the country, and has been played at many different golf courses in Ireland.
It is the marquee event on the PGA Tour of Ireland's schedule, having many notable winners in the over 100 years of play. Christy O'Connor Snr and Harry Bradshaw have the most wins in the event with 10. The event was played in match-play format from its inauguration in 1907 until it became a stroke play event in 1910.
The 2026 event took place at Limerick Golf Club from August 3rd to August 5th. Cormac Sharvin from Killeen Castle took the crown, defeating The K Club's Conor O'Rourke in a sudden-death playoff.
Winners YearWinnerVenueScoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-upRefIrish PGA Championship2026Cormac SharvinLimerick214PlayoffConor O'Rourke2025Simon Thornton (4)Monkstown2012 strokesSeán O'Donoughue 2024 Niall Kearney (3) Palmerstown House 204 6 strokes Michael McGeady 2023 David Higgins (3) Carne 216 1 stroke Simon Thornton 2022 Damien McGrane (3) Carne 208 2 strokes Brian McElhinney 2021 David Higgins (2) Carne 213 1 stroke Mark Staunton 2020 Simon Thornton (3) Roganstown 140 Playoff Colm Moriarty 2019 Damien McGrane (2) Bunclody 209 1 stroke Michael McGeady 2018 Simon Thornton (2) Galway Bay 141 1 stroke Richard Kilpatrick 2017 Tim Rice Moyvalley 271 3 strokes Colm Moriarty 2016 Damien McGrane Moyvalley 278 1 stroke Simon Thornton 2015 Niall Kearney (2) Dundalk 266 14 strokes Eamonn Brady, Richard Kilpatrick, James Quinlivan 2014 Niall Kearney Adare Manor 268 1 stroke Michael McGeady 2013 Michael McGeady Roganstown 275 1 stroke Cian McNamara, Damian Mooney 2012 David Higgins Mount Juliet 209 Playoff Gary Murphy, Noel Murray 2011 Simon Thornton Seapoint 269 6 strokes Gary Murphy Ladbrokes.com Irish PGA Championship 2010 David Mortimer (2) Seapoint 277 1 stroke Damien McGrane 2009 Pádraig Harrington (6) The European 283 7 strokes Brian McElhinney 2008 Pádraig Harrington (5) The European 285 4 strokes Philip Walton Irish PGA Championship 2007 Pádraig Harrington (4) The European 279 Playoff Brendan McGovern 2006 David Mortimer Druids Heath 286 1 stroke John Dwyer, Robert Giles 2005 Pádraig Harrington (3) PGA National 285 Playoff Stephen Hamill, Damien McGrane 2004 Pádraig Harrington (2) St. Margarets 287 1 stroke Philip Walton Smurfit Irish PGA Championship 2003 Paul McGinley (4) Adare Manor 280 5 strokes Gary Murphy 2002 Paul McGinley (3) Westport 213 3 strokes John Dwyer 2001 Des Smyth (6) Castlerock 273 3 strokes Paul McGinley 2000 Paul McGinley (2) County Louth 270 4 strokes Eamonn Darcy 1999 Neil Manchip Island 271 3 strokes Darren Clarke 1998 Pádraig Harrington Powerscourt 216 Playoff Michael Bannon, Francis Howley, Des Smyth 1997 Paul McGinley Fota Island 285 3 strokes Stephen Hamill, David Higgins, John McHenry 1996 Des Smyth (5) Slieve Russell 281 5 strokes Eamonn Darcy, Philip Walton 1995 Philip Walton (4) Belvoir Park 273 1 stroke Paul McGinley 1994 Darren Clarke Galway Bay 285 3 strokes Raymond Burns 1993 Martin Sludds (2) The K Club 285 3 strokes Eamonn Darcy 1992 Eamonn Darcy (2) The K Club 285 6 strokes Philip Walton 1991 Philip Walton (3) Woodbrook 277 2 strokes Eamonn Darcy 1990 Des Smyth (4) Woodbrook 271 8 strokes Jimmy Heggarty Spawell Irish Professional Championship 1989 Philip Walton (2) Castle 266 9 strokes Des Smyth Irish Professional Championship 1988 Eamonn Darcy Castle 269 3 strokes Des Smyth 1987 Philip Walton County Louth 144 Playoff Des Smyth Innovation Group Irish Professional Championship 1986 Des Smyth (3) Waterville 282 7 stroke Christy O'Connor Snr Tretorn–Spalding Irish Professional Championship 1985 Des Smyth (2) County Louth 204 2 stroke Eamonn Darcy 1984 Martin Sludds Skerries 277 1 stroke Des Smyth Rank Xerox (Irish) Professional Championship 1983 Liam Higgins Woodbrook 275 2 strokes David Feherty 1982 David Feherty (2) Woodbrook 287 1 stroke Christy O'Connor Jnr 1981 David Jones Woodbrook 283 4 strokes Leonard Owens 1980 David Feherty Royal Dublin 283 3 strokes Hugh Jackson 1979 Des Smyth Royal Dublin 215 1 stroke David Jones 1978 Christy O'Connor Snr (10) Royal Dublin 286 Playoff Michael Murphy 1977 Paddy Skerritt Woodbrook 281 1 stroke Christy O'Connor Jnr Aer Lingus Irish Professional Championship 1976 Paddy McGuirk Waterville 291 2 strokes Liam Higgins Irish (Guinness) Professional Championship 1975 Christy O'Connor Snr (9) Carlow 275 3 strokes David Jones, Jimmy Kinsella 1974 Eddie Polland Portstewart 277 16 strokes Ernie Jones, Jimmy Martin 1973 Jimmy Kinsella (2) Limerick 284 Playoff Paul Leonard 1972 Jimmy Kinsella Bundoran 289 1 stroke Hugh Boyle 1971 Christy O'Connor Snr (8) Galway 278 2 strokes Hugh Jackson 1970 Hugh Jackson Massereene 283 1969 Jimmy Martin Dundalk 268 Playoff Jimmy Kinsella 1968 Christy Greene (2) Knock 282 1 stroke Jimmy Henderson, Jimmy Martin 1967 Hugh Boyle Tullamore 214 1 stroke Ernie Jones 1966 Christy O'Connor Snr (7) Warrenpoint 269 6 strokes Ernie Jones, Jimmy Martin 1965 Christy O'Connor Snr (6) Mullingar 283 Playoff Norman Drew, Nicky Lynch Irish Professional Championship 1964 Ernie Jones (2) Knock 277 3 strokes Nicky Lynch 1963 Christy O'Connor Snr (5) Cork 271 4 strokes Nicky Lynch 1962 Christy O'Connor Snr (4) Bangor 264 Nicky Lynch 1961 Christy O'Connor Snr (3) Lahinch 280 5 strokes Christy Greene 1960 Christy O'Connor Snr (2) Warrenpoint 271 2 strokes Ernie Jones, Jimmy Kinsella, Jimmy Martin 1959 Norman Drew Mullingar 282 2 strokes Christy O'Connor Snr 1958 Christy O'Connor Snr Royal Belfast 279 6 strokes Christy Greene 1957 Harry Bradshaw (10) Ballybunion 286 4 strokes Christy O'Connor Snr 1956 Christy Greene Clandeboye 281 2 strokes Norman Drew 1955 Ernie Jones Castletroy 276 5 strokes Harry Bradshaw 1954 Harry Bradshaw (9) Royal Co Down 300 Playoff Christy O'Connor Snr 1953 Harry Bradshaw (8) Dundalk 272 9 strokes Jimmy Martin 1952 Fred Daly (3) Mullingar 284 2 strokes Harry Bradshaw 1951 Harry Bradshaw (7) Balmoral 280 1 stroke Fred Daly 1950 Harry Bradshaw (6) Grange 277 6 strokes Joe Carroll, Fred Daly 1949 Christy Kane Royal Portrush 301 4 strokes Philip Stevenson 1948 John McKenna (2) Galway 285 4 strokes Christy Kane 1947 Harry Bradshaw (5) County Louth 291 9 strokes WJ Clarke, John McKenna 1946 Fred Daly (2) Clandeboye 285 1 stroke Jack McLachlan 1945 John McKenna Newlands 283 5 strokes Fred Daly 1944 Harry Bradshaw (4) Hermitage 291 2 strokes John McKenna 1943 Harry Bradshaw (3) Dún Laoghaire 277 1 stroke Fred Daly, Joe McCartney 1942 Harry Bradshaw (2) Hermitage 285 10 strokes Eddie Hackett 1941 Harry Bradshaw County Sligo 293 3 strokes Jack McLachlan 1940 Fred Daly Cork 305 1 stroke Harry Bradshaw 1939 Paddy Mahon (3) Bundoran 290 5 strokes Fred Daly 1938 Paddy Mahon (2) Royal Portrush 291 6 strokes Willie Nolan 1937 Paddy Mahon Portmarnock 298 10 strokes Joe McCartney 1936 Joe McCartney (3) Galway 281 4 strokes Paddy Mahon 1935 Sydney Fairweather (2) Belvoir Park 293 1 stroke Paddy Mahon 1934 Willie Nolan Dún Laoghaire 282 1 stroke AJ Ward 1933 Jimmy Adams Castlerock 291 1 stroke Paddy Mahon 1932 Hugh McNeill (2) Royal Dublin 304 2 strokes Paddy Mahon 1931 Joe McCartney (2) Portstewart 283 Playoff Hugh McNeill 1930 Joe McCartney Castle 291 6 strokes Pat O'Connor 1929 Hugh McNeill Royal Co Down 317 2 strokes Charlie Pope 1928 Leo Wallace County Sligo 315 3 strokes Willie Nolan 1927 Pat O'Hare (2) Royal Dublin 301 9 strokes Dan Murray 1926 Sydney Fairweather Malone 299 3 strokes Pat O'Hare 1925 Moses O'Neill (3) Portmarnock 315 5 strokes Willie Nolan 1924 Moses O'Neill (2) Malone 305 2 strokes Sydney Fairweather, Hugh McNeill 1923 Moses O'Neill Milltown 309 1 stroke William Holley 1922 James Martin Royal Portrush 328 5 strokes Charlie Pope 1921 James Cromwell Portmarnock 313 5 strokes Hugh McNeill 1920 Jimmy O'Hare Castlerock 315 Playoff Harry Hamill 1919 Pat O'Hare Portmarnock 326 2 strokes William Holley 1915–1918: Cancelled due to World War I 1914 Charlie Pope Royal Co Down 305 8 strokes Jimmy O'Hare, Pat O'Hare 1913 Michael Moran (5) Portmarnock 324 2 strokes Pat O'Hare 1912 Michael Moran (4) Castlerock 305 6 strokes Pat Doyle 1911 Michael Moran (3) Royal Portrush 310 6 strokes James Edmundson 1910 Michael Moran (2) Royal Dublin 296 10 strokes Michael Cahill 1909 Michael Moran Royal Co Down 9 & 7 Harry Kidd 1908 James Edmundson (2) Portmarnock 5 & 3 Bertie Snowball 1907 James Edmundson Royal Portrush 2 & 1 Bertie Snowball
From 1907 to 1909 the championship was a match-play event. The final was over 18 holes in 1907 and 36 holes in 1908 and 1909. The format changed to stroke play from 1910. The tournament was reduced to 54 holes in 1967, 1979, 1985, 1998, 2002 and 2012 and to 36 holes in 1987.
Most wins Rank Player # Wins Last winT1 Harry Bradshaw 10 1957Christy O'Connor Snr 10 1978 T3Pádraig Harrington 6 2009 Des Smyth 6 2001 5Michael Moran 5 1913 T6Paul McGinley 4 2003 Philip Walton 4 1995
Tournament summaries
1907 Irish Professional Championship The first Irish Professional Championship was played on 20 and 21 May 1907 at Royal Portrush Golf Club. There was an 18-hole stroke play contest on the first morning with the leading 8 qualifying for the knockout matchplay stage. James Edmundson and Harry Hamill led with scores of 76. Three players were tied for the final place and played a 9-hole playoff to decide the last place, won by Hugh McNeill. In the first round of the matchplay Edmundson and Hamill were drawn to play each other, Edmundson being the surprise winner by 5&4. The semi-finals and final were played on the second day. Local professional Edmundson and Yorkshireman Bertie Snowball won their semi-finals and met in the final. The match was all square after 9 holes but Edmundson won the next three and eventually won 2&1.
The Championship was preceded by the first professional match between Ireland and Scotland on 18 May. Teams of 12 played singles and foursomes. Ireland beat a weak Scotland team by 14 matches to 3 with 1 match halved. The players had played a 36-hole stroke-play event the previous day, won by Michael Moran with a score of 154, 4 ahead of Bertie Snowball.
1908 Irish Professional Championship The 1908 Championship was extended to a third day, being played from 13–15 May at Portmarnock Golf Club. The first day was a 36-hole event with 8 qualifying for the matchplay stage. As in 1907 James Edmundson and Harry Hamill led, with scores of 160. Edmundson and Bertie Snowball again met in the final. In the 36-hole final Edmundson won comfortably 5&3 after being 4 up after 18 holes. Edmundson won a gold medal and the £10 first prize.
1909 Irish Professional Championship The 1909 Championship retained the same format and was played from 12–14 May at Royal County Down Golf Club. James Edmundson was again joint leader, this time with Michael Moran, with scores of 167. In the first round Edmundson was finally defeated. Moran and Harry Kidd won their two matches and met in the final. Moran started badly and was 3 down after 6 holes. However, he then won the next 6 holes and was 2 up after the first round. Moran won the first hole in the afternoon and from the 5th to the 11th holes won 6 more to win easily 9&7, the first of five successive victories in the championship.
1910 Irish Professional Championship From 1910 the Championship became a 72-hole strokeplay event. It was played on 9 and 10 June at Royal Dublin Golf Club. Defending champion Michael Moran, pulled 7 ahead at the end of the first day after a second round 72, a course record. On the second day Moran set another course record of 70, extending his lead to 13. A final round of 76 gave him a 10 stroke win over Michael Cahill and 23 ahead of the rest of the field.
1911 Irish Professional Championship