AND SO PAUL Dunne’s stellar form continues.
The Greystones golfer sits three shots off the lead after hitting a five-under par 67, as he opened his account at the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.
The 2017 British Masters champion carded six birdies in total and just a single bogey on the 17th, as he put on an impressive performance in his World Golf Championship (WGC) debut to back up his recent returns.
Subsequently, Dunne is now tied for sixth while 2017 US Open champion Brooks Koepka leads the way on eight-under.
Koepka holds a one-shot lead from Gavin Green and Kiradech Aphibarnrat, after a strong finish to day one — including an eagle on the 18th — powered him to the top of the leaderboard.
“It was an interesting hole to say the least,” Koepka told reporters after he finished his round.
“It was an awful 3-iron (off the tee), hit it in the water and was lucky enough or fortunate enough to at least be able to hit it and advance it.
“And then to hit 3-wood in there to 15 feet and then make the putt, we were laughing. It was almost kind of like destiny to make that putt for how lucky we were that whole hole.
“I felt like I started really well. Drove it really well. Any time you’re making putts and you’re keeping it in the fairway, you’re going to shoot good.”
Olympic champion Justin Rose, USA’s Tony Finau and Matt Kuchar, and China’s Ashun Wu are among those sharing sixth position with 24-year-old Dunne.
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