East of Ireland winner Alex Maguire has jumped to top spot in the Bridgestone Order of Merit rankings after his latest heroics in Baltray.

The Laytown and Bettystown golfer made it back-to-back wins at County Louth Golf Club after a thrilling play-off victory over Caolan Rafferty (Dundalk) and Sam Murphy (Portumna).

Maguire, who was also crowned Bridgestone Player of the Month for May, jumped five places thanks to that win, where he sits ahead of former leader David Shiel (Enniscrone). Rafferty has gone to third while Shane McDermott (Slieve Russell) is another big mover, up nine places to fourth, after he also went close in the heat of Baltray.

Jack McDonnell (Forrest Little) moved up to T5 with Richard Knightly (Royal Dublin) rounding out the top five.

In the women’s section Clodagh Coughlan (Douglas) jumped ahead of Aideen Walsh (Lahinch) and Beth Coulter (Kirkistown Castle) following her performance at Loughrea in the Connacht Senior Women’s on Saturday.

However, Emma Fleming (Elm Park) continues in the ascendency thanks to her early Scratch Cup successes, with Kate Lanigan (Hermitage) and Anna Abom (Edmondstown) also in contention in the top three.

The next Bridgestone Order of Merit event for the men will see Portumna host the Connacht Stroke Play this coming weekend. The women now turn their attentions to the AIG Women's Irish Amateur Close in Connemara on 22 June. 

Follow the Bridgestone Order of Merit race here