Higgins Could Add Wales Open to Plans

David Higgins has ended a magnificent performance at the BMW PGA Championship on a sun kissed Wentworth Course, with a two under par 70, and slaying a tough West Course that over the past four days has taken a number of high profile Irish casualties.

None less than the most recent World Number One, Rory McIlroy, the current Open Champion Darren Clarke, the 2010 US Open Champion, Graeme McDowell and three time major winner Padraig Harrington - along with  a string of other illustrious names.

Amidst all that carnage Higgins exuded composure travelling around Wentworth with a remarkable consistency  - that suggests there is more to come - and carding three rounds of 70, with the one blip on a windy Saturday when reaching the historic gothic clubhouse in a two over par 74

In his third consecutive appearance at the BMW PGA Championship Higgins slayed his own demons on Sunday, conscious of his chase to clinch a vital tenth place - and eligible for an automatic invite to next week's Wales Open at The Celtic Manor.

A task easier said than done, and one filled with memories of two bad outings no doubt on the West Course in 2011 and 2010 when he missed the cut - and by double digits. 


On Sunday though the likable Kerry man proved  a few things to himself and no doubt to many others too.

Armed with a textbook swing, Higgins has been convinced that he has unfinished business on the European Tour, a place he departed from when he lost his automatic playing rights in 2008. Albeit he qualified for the Open Championship at Turnberry in 2009, Higgins has seen limited Tour Event - starts beyond his regular domination of the Irish PGA region order of merit.

A number of visits to Tour School over the past number of years have also proved fruitless, along with some disappointing outings at the Irish Open in Killarney. All enough perhaps to kill the desire of some. But not for David Higgins, who now can make more travel plans with his cheque for €78,300 in his back pocket, as a bonus.

An achievement  that deserves recognition.