QUALIFYING FOR THE Open is an achievement in itself, particularly when you’re an amateur, but having done it in consecutive years, Paul Dunne isn’t at St Andrews this week just to enjoy the experience.
The 22-year-old from Greystones fell just short of playing into the weekend at Hoylake twelve months ago but those couple of days in Liverpool served as an enlightening exercise.
Dunne’s performance – rounds of 75 and 73 – provided evidence of his potential and was reassurance that he certainly wasn’t out of his depth at the top level.
“It was a bit overwhelming,” he recalls. “It was difficult to settle in and just go about your business because of all that was happening around you. During the practise rounds, there were big galleries following you around – I just wasn’t used to that.
“It was a real eye opener.”
This time around, he doesn’t feel as much out of his comfort zone.
Dunne has just graduated from University of Alabama where he spent four years combining studies – Business Finance – with golf and has enjoyed a productive year on the amateur circuit.
It all came to fruition at Woburn golf club last month as he blew away the field, including Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie, Robert Rock, at the Open qualifying event to grab one of the final spots at the 144th championship.
However, it wasn’t without drama – he arrived on the first tee just in the nick of time with a minute to spare.
Fast forward a fortnight and when the unmistakable voice of Ivor Robson declares this year’s race for the Claret Jug under-way, Dunne will lead the Irish charge.
“It’s been completely different to last year,” he tells The42 on the eve of the first round. “I’ve had a couple of days of good preparation and have come up with a game plan and strategy to try and get around this amazing course because, at the end of the day, it’s all about scoring.
“I’m more comfortable this time but it doesn’t matter what has happened up until now because what matters is what you do come Thursday.”
Having been in Scotland since Sunday, there has been no shortage of opportunity for Dunne to familiarise himself with the Old Course and settle into his surroundings.
A practise round with Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell on Wednesday gave him the chance to pick the brains of two golfers who have seen it all before.
“They’ve been really helpful,” the former Blackrock College student continues. “Graeme is someone I would look up to and he gave me some great advice on how to play the course during our round.
“Hopefully I can go out now with my caddy and use those tips to implement the strategy we’ve come up with it.”
The build-up to the tournament has centred around the changeable weather and the impact that will make on how the golf course will play.
Dunne is in the second group off – alongside 2004 winner Todd Hamilton and James Hahn – at 6.43am and with strong wind and rain forecast for Thursday, he may just escape the worst of it.
Yet, Dunne is focusing on, as Joe Schmidt often refers to, the controllables. For someone in the infancy of his career, he is mature beyond his years.
“It’s easy to get caught up in it all – the tournament, the crowd, the players, the weather but I think you just have to do what you always do and realise the ball is the same size and the hole is the same size of every other day.
“Of course, I want to do as well as I can but it’s not a case of sink or swim. This week is a great opportunity for me but if I don’t play the way I want or don’t score well, it’s not the end of the world.”
But nerves are only natural. Twelve months ago, it wasn’t until his name was announced on the first tee that he even began to appreciate the magnitude of the situation and the esteem of his company.
By his own admission, the build-up has been curiously relaxed with his family renting a house close the course for the duration of the tournament. “We’re all happy now but whether we are come Thursday evening will be another thing,” he jokes.
Indeed a good start is essential if Dunne is to harbour any hopes of being around for the business end of the tournament – although he’s not allowing himself to look that far ahead just yet.
The prospect of following in Rory McIlroy’s footsteps by winning the Silver Medal – the prize for the leading amateur – is one which certainly excites Dunne but he’s never been one to put pressure on himself.
“Obviously it would be great to make the cut and brilliant to win the Silver Medal but you can’t really control those results,” he quickly says, tempering expectations with a dash of realism.
The focus is firmly on the next few days but the plan is to turn professional in mid-September.
“I’ve always wanted to turn pro but I don’t think I’ve always thought I would. But as time has gone on, you just keep developing and eventually it’s the next step.”
Although he learnt his trade on the fairways and greens of Greystones Golf Club, Dunne attributes his rich golfing education to the US college system which gave him the platform to develop his game.
“It was brilliant,” he says of his time Stateside. “It’s difficult to make that decision to leave home and go over but I feel like my game has come on so much and I’ve matured as well.”
As one chapter of his golfing career comes to an end, you get the feeling this week at St Andrews is the beginning of the next for Dunne. Twelve months after realising his golfing dream, he is now primed to make a major impression.
Let’s hope he sets his alarm clock nice and early.
Legend Rob, thanks for the memories
@Brendan Phelan: I don’t understand much about rugby but say for example no other club came in for him at the end of the season , what would stop him playing on for Leinster?? If he wanted to of course and Leinster were happy for him to train and earn a place.
@John Jones: Nothing stopping that scenario. Would be a case of Leinster wanting him to stay and paying any contract, and Rob being happy with the terms of the contract.
@Peter McCarthy: given that most of Leinster’s financial security has been as a result of all the last decade of success which RK was a huge part of – they more than owe him. Not to mention how invaluable a mentor he would be.
He got paid about half a mill for playing about two games this year, I would take that as a brilliant sweet send off, best of luck to him.
@Pretty Ladee: The most outrageous contract ever signed in the history of the IRFU to the point of suspicion considering his role and influence within IRUPA.
There was never a point where that contract seemed likely to have been offered for rugby playing reasons given Kearney’s decline and complete lack of demand from teams abroad.
@Rochelle: the best full back Ireland ever had and all you can say is the IRFU got his contract wrong. I’d rather see an Irish legend get a decent paid day than a heap of mercenaries getting paid to block irish players.
@Chris Mc: He hasn’t been a great fullback in many years, players should be paid what they’re worth not given gratitude contracts for things they achieved in 2009.
@Rochelle: what decline? He was one of the few good players at RWC – key for Leinster in the only true challenge they faced all year and then systematically removed to suit a FB who was found out against England. Meanwhile Sexton who really was in a decline was handed captaincy and Murray who’s been in a decline for 2yrs was played ahead of the form player of the year. So if u want to talk about favouritism look in the right places.
@Rochelle: Kearney was Ireland and European poty in 2012, key to our 2wins over the ABs and best player on the pitch when we beat England for the GS. So don’t know what your reference to 2009 is?
@Rochelle: we should of spent the money on another South African to bolster any gaps leinster raised players are leaving in the Munster squad.
@Rochelle: unless you have a crystal ball how can you decide if a player will be good value over the period of their contract? Irelands greatest ever full back simple as that.
@ger: He only played against Japan, Russia and New Zealand and none of those were good days for Ireland!
@Gavin Quirke: bitter comment but the point Rochelle makes it right. He was on far to much money at that stage of his career. No other negative about the man. Class player in his. Consistant for a decade. You can’t deny he was overpaid. Heaslip got the same. Insane money at that age.
@Chris Mc: Treating a player/person less favourably because of their nationality is discrimation.
@Rochelle: with supporters like you it must be a sad place for our players at times.
He got paid about half a mill for playing about 2 games this year
@Pretty Ladee: he wanted to play considerably more – he signed a contract last year because Larmour was found out against Ulster and Leinster needed him against Toulouse. Had Leinster any tough opposition this year, he would have been badly needed. But Farrell who had such great form with selection decided to remove him for a FB who was found out against England while retaining the out of form Murray and the seriously in decline Sexton.
I’m sure any contracts due to expire at the end of the season will be honored past the printed date in the unlikely event we do see out the season, but this was likely Kearneys final season in blue anyway.
I’m sure there would be plenty of clubs happy to take him on, London Irish depending on what kind of sign off he’s looking for, I think the big money move ship has sailed.
@Sean Fahey: I wouldn’t be so sure. It would definitely be a nice gesture but financially the game is in trouble. Even in Ireland, we’ll need to tighten the belt.
you have always had an issue with him. So your opinion doesn’t hold much weight. He was outstanding in the GS winning match against England and against ABs in Aviva – that’s only 2 yrs ago. He was one of our few form players at RWC, starred for Leinster in the only challenge they faced all year and then was systematically removed to suit a FB who was found out against England. Meanwhile Sexton who really is in decline was handed captaincy and Murray who has been out of form for 2yrs was played ahead of the form player of the year. That’s where the favouritism in rugby lies not with Kearney who is now set not even to get an appropriate send off.
Kearney was short changed all year. He was vital for Leinster in their away match v Lyon and would have been key against Saracens. Larmour prices against England that he is no FB. and expect Addison in the jersey next season. Throwing Kearney away like Farrell has done was seriously irresponsible especially from the sane coach who wouldn’t start Cooney citing the importance of experience. Kearney was scapegoated so Farrell could win favour with the media. Leinster should keep him on if they can – he deserves a proper send off not one behind closed doors.
@ger: They beat Wales & Scotland without him…
Kearney might move to another Irish province should his time at Leinster be up. He’d certainly improve the Munster back three and would be an upgrade on Haley.
The lack of games and financial gains from the home fixtures is going to have a massive affect on world rugby and will lead to a rebalancing on players incomes.
The squads will be reduced dramatically as that is the quickest and easiest way to trim expenditure and people will just not get their contract renewed unless they are vital to the team.
Academy players will come through quicker as a necessity and overseas players will be let go to the wayside.
Check out the current position of rugby Australia as an absolute disaster of a position.
They have no sponsor after rejecting the current one and then failing to negotiate with anyone to take over. They have lost heavily twice in massive payouts to The fullback and the public are openly revolting against the management who are all kiwis
There is a better than 50/50 chance according to the Australian media that Rugby Australia will be forced to declare bankruptcy and they are putting it all down to the CEO rather than the covid 19.
They have massive problems on and off the pitch but I would like to think that Ireland are in a much healthier position and can last even if we don’t get to complete the six nations or indeed the Nov internationals