PAUL DUNNE’S FIRST start of 2016 as a full member of the European Tour was cut short this morning when he didn’t even make it to the first tee at the South African Open.
The young Irish golfer was due to begin his year in Johannesburg this week but was forced to withdraw from the tournament at the last minute due to a bout of food poisoning.
It’s a setback for the 22-year-old from Greystones as he looks to make waves in his debut season on Tour after earning full playing rights at Qualifying School in November.
Dunne, who announced himself to the golfing world at the Open, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2015 and has received precious invites to two prestigious PGA Tour events over the next few weeks.
The former Blackrock College student will make his PGA Tour debut at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines from 28 January and will then play in the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.
Dunne was the only Irishman in the field at Glendower Golf Club for the fourth event of the European Tour’s wraparound season.
Peter Lawrie, Kevin Phelan and Ruaidhri McGee are all set to kick-start their year next week in Joburg.
Meanwhile, it’s full steam ahead for Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell later as they tee-off at the traditional season-opening Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler are among those who return to action at the 33-man event.
