Newcastle golfer Simon Thornton has made a strong start to his season, winning three tournaments in the Irish PGA Open series. The County Down man took the Carne Pro Am in Belmullet, the Philip Walton Pro Am at Malahide, and was a joint winner at Druids Glen Pro Am at Mountkennedy.

Thornton's victory at Carne on June 6-7 saw him finish one shot ahead of Brian McElhinney after rounds of four-under and three-under par. He attributed his form to off-season work on his driving and putting, saying the links course suited his game.

The Malahide win came on May 29, where he carded a six-under-par total. His run of results includes three second-place finishes, at Beaverstown, Clontarf, and Stackstown, as well as a tied-15th at Thurles and a tied-16th at Rathfarnham.

Thornton, who plays out of Newcastle, said he hopes to maintain consistency for the rest of the season and add further wins. He has competed in eight events so far, with three wins and three second places.