PAUL DUNNE’S FIRST start of 2016 as a full member of the European Tour was cut short this morning when he didn’t even make it to the first tee at the South African Open.
The young Irish golfer was due to begin his year in Johannesburg this week but was forced to withdraw from the tournament at the last minute due to a bout of food poisoning.
It’s a setback for the 22-year-old from Greystones as he looks to make waves in his debut season on Tour after earning full playing rights at Qualifying School in November.
Dunne, who announced himself to the golfing world at the Open, enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2015 and has received precious invites to two prestigious PGA Tour events over the next few weeks.
The former Blackrock College student will make his PGA Tour debut at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines from 28 January and will then play in the AT&T Pro-Am at Pebble Beach.
Dunne was the only Irishman in the field at Glendower Golf Club for the fourth event of the European Tour’s wraparound season.
Peter Lawrie, Kevin Phelan and Ruaidhri McGee are all set to kick-start their year next week in Joburg.
Meanwhile, it’s full steam ahead for Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell later as they tee-off at the traditional season-opening Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.
Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Rickie Fowler are among those who return to action at the 33-man event.
If his goal really is to win another champions league (that’s obviously not going to happen at United in what’s left of his career) then what genuine competitor for the tournament could afford him and more importantly actually want him?
@Gareth Keenan: i think he just wants to keep playing in the champions league, not necessarily win it again. Maybe he should consider an immediate loan spell with Rovers and help us push through to the group stages of it.
@Kevin: there’s a thought!
@Kevin: that would be some story, I can see it now…
Big Cristiano fan throughout the years but surely even he must recognise that the equation probably won’t add up the way he wants it too.
Big money + competitive champions league team + automatic starter in every game.is not realistic in my view.
He could probably find some good situations where he can get 2 of the 3.
Will be interested too see what happens. As a utd fan too I think that he might have to find a bit more humility I’d he is to stay relevant in ETH’s plans. Still great on his day.
Even with this Dr Evil demand level of money, with his level of skill even at this stage in his career the Saudi League would be like if he rocked up to an adults five a side match in the park on a Sunday. He’d be richer than rich but no way would he be satisfied professionally
Wants to leave but doesn’t want to go to any club who wants him
He Doesn’t need the money. Surprised someone like PSG didn’t go for him.