LAST WEEKEND, PAUL Dunne won the 2017 British Masters in style.
The 24-year-old Greystones native fired seven birdies and an eagle in a closing 61 to finish on 20 under par. A chip on the 18th rounded an impressive victory, and a memorable day for Irish golfing circles.
And he’s picked up right where he left off, with a glittering start under his belt at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.
He sits tied for the clubhouse lead, following a five-under par round of 67. Dunne picked up four birdies and an eagle at the par-four ninth on his way to clocking a successful day one at St Andrews.
A bogey on the 17th was the only bot in the Wicklow man’s copybook, as he shares the top spot with Begium’s Nicolas Colsaerts.
“My game still feels good. I stood up at the first and I was still confident in my swing,” Dunne told Sky Sports afterwards.
“It takes that little bit of pressure off when you’ve done it once.
“My iron play was good today. It was a disappointing finish but in general all things feel good and life is pretty good at the minute.”
Elsewhere, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell are among those in joint third on three-under, while Dublin native Gavin Moynihan finished on two-under at Kingbarns.
Padraig Harrington is on level par with a round of 72, while Rory McIlroy’s improvements in the latter stages of the round saw him finish on one over.
Play commences tomorrow.
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- Article last updated at 5.20pm.
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