IT WAS ANOTHER productive week for Paul Dunne in Scotland as he once again showcased his credentials on the biggest stage.
On what was his professional debut, the 22-year-old from Greystones remained in contention throughout the star-studded Alfred Dunhill Links Championships before eventually finishing in a tie for 19th.
Dunne missed out on a significant pay day at the Open in July because of his amateur status but his performance this week earned him a cheque for €47, 536 and, more importantly, a place on the Race to Dubai standings.
His quest to secure a tour card for 2016 started in confident fashion in Austria last month and another sponsor’s invite for the British Masters and Portugal Masters provides further opportunity to improve on his ranking.
Dunne has two ways to assure himself of a place on next season’s European Tour. If he can propel himself into the top 110 places on the standings over the next two weeks, he’ll earn his card via the money route.
In reality, however, he’ll have to work his way through the qualifying school. Having safely negotiated the first hurdle in Austria, Dunne faces two more rounds in Spain next month.
It was a good weekend too for Gavin Moynihan as his dream of playing on next year’s tour remained alive. The Dubliner progressed from the first phase of qualifying in Lisbon after finishing in a share of fifth place.
The Walker Cup winner joins Dunne, Jack Hume and Gary Hurley in the next stage to be played the weekend of 6 November.
