BRITISH MASTERS CHAMPION Paul Dunne has started strongly at this week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The Greystones golfer carded a five-under-par 67 at Jumeirah Golf Estates to sit among the chasing pack after the first round.
Only Justin Rose and Scott Hend, who both shot 66, are better-positioned behind leader Patrick Reed (-7).
While Rory McIlroy is not involved — having withdrawn to recover from a rib injury — Ireland’s Shane Lowry has begun well with a 69.
After a remarkable season, 24-year-old Dunne was 15th in the Race to Dubai rankings heading into the final event and he will be hoping to force his way into the top 10 in order to pick up a share of the $5 million bonus.
English pair Tommy Fleetwood, currently on one-over, and Rose are battling it out with Spain’s Sergio Garcia to be crowned European number one. Fleetwood simply needs to match or better Rose’s score in Dubai, but the 2013 US Open winner is in the driving seat after 18 holes.
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