2024 Platinum
They now lead the seven Irish qualifiers to the 72-hole final of the Glenmuir Club Professional Championship, to be played over the historic Prince's course near Sandwich in Kent from 13 - 16 June.
Nigel, who'll be 30 tomorrow, was playing in his first competitive round of the year, having taken up the Balbriggan job recently.
After a round in which he owed his putter no favours - he twice three-putted and missed a four-footer on the last - Nigel commented "I hope this Prince's course is a bit less difficult than Woodhall Spa (last year's final venue). That was as tough a track as I've played."
Winner of the Irish youths' title in 1997, Howley mixed five birdies with five bogeys over the tough St Margaret's, almost within sight of Dublin Airport.
Gittens, the least travelled of the day's players - Corrstown is no more than five minutes from St Margaret's - was qualifying for the Glenmuir final for the first time. The highlight of his round, comprising four birdies and four bogeys, was a superb tee shot at the 366-yard 11th, where the 39-year-old boldly opted for the direct route, over trees on the dog-leg fairway. He was no more than 10 yards short of the putting surface, and safely chipped and putted for a birdie.
The rewards for the top finishers in Kent are attractive - the winner picks up EUR14,500 from a prize fund of EUR113,000, and almost guarantees himself a place in the 10-man PGA Cup team to visit the United States next year. He has the use of a top-of-the-range Peugeot for a year, the leading 10 finishers will be exempt from regional qualifying for The Open, and the top 20 are exempt from next year's regional qualifying for the Glenmuir event.