PAUL DUNNE’S BREAKTHROUGH season will extend into next week after he safely negotiated a six-way play-off to secure his place at the final stage of European Tour qualifying school.
The 22-year-old from Greystones carded a flawless final round of 67 at the Lumine course in Spain to move inside the play-off berths before advancing by the skin of his teeth on the sixth extra hole.
After rounds of 70, 66 and 71, Dunne moved into a tie for 17th with a birdie on 18 and he then edged out South African Jaco Ahlers for the final qualifying spot on offer.
After his brush with Open glory in July, Dunne’s stock has continued to rise after imposing performances at the US Amateur Championship and then on his professional debut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
He will be one of seven Irish golfers involved in next week’s straight shootout at the PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona, where the top 25 finishers earn a full tour card for 2016.
Headfort’s Brian Casey will be among the field at the high-stakes event as he continue his scintillating form on Monday. Casey finished joint-first at the Panorámica Golf and Sport Resort but there was disappointment for Jack Hume who lost out in the lottery of a play-off.
Walker Cup stars Gavin Moynihan and Gary Hurley suffered the same fate as they fell at the penultimate hurdle.
Dunne and Casey join Damien McGrane, Peter Lawrie, Kevin Phelan, Simon Thornton and Ruaidhri McGee at the final round of Q-School, starting on Saturday.
