PAUL DUNNE’S EXCELLENT form continued at the Open de Espana this afternoon as he carded five birdies and an eagle to hold a share of the lead with Scotland’s Marc Warren.
Dunne comes into this week off the back of consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and is clearly full of confidence as he made a strong start, signing for an opening round 66 to sit on six-under par.
The Wicklow native picked up a shot on the first hole and although he bogeyed the second, hit the turn under-par after a birdie on the par-five fifth, before further birdies on 11, 13 and 16.
With conditions deteriorating as the day progressed as Centro Nacional de Golf, 25-year-old Dunne moved level with clubhouse leader Warren with a superb eagle three on the 18th, his second finishing within 10-yards of the hole.
“I’m pretty pleased,” Dunne said. “I find the greens quite tricky to read out there, especially on the front nine, so it was nice to get a couple of putts go in on the back nine and give myself a climb up the leaderboard.”
Home favourite Jon Rahm is a shot further behind on five-under par in a group including amateur Victor Pastor from Spain.
Gavin Moynihan, meanwhile, sits on level par after an opening round 72 as he looks to make the cut for the first time this season.
Dunne will begin his second round at 7.55am on Friday morning as he bids to continues Ireland’s strong tradition of victory at the Open de Espana, following previous wins from Eddie Polland, Eamonn Darcy, Pádraig Harrington and Peter Lawrie.
Job well Dunne.@dunners11 eagles the 18th to card an opening round 66. pic.twitter.com/6wnPnYjWFG
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 12, 2018
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It’s no coincidence that among the standout players this season are players returning from the UK – Mandriou, Byrne and Parkhouse.
The league can continue to nurture and produce talent going forward. It’s not a flash in the pan.
It has its problems but talented young footballers is not one of them.
With all due respect the chap is a Northern Irish player … what is the relevance or point of the article. No disrespect to him but he isn’t ours he is an NI player.
@DB: I presume this is an all island app. It covers lots of stuff from across the border. He plays for Derry city which is situated across the border but plays in the league of Ireland. Don’t be getting too worried about it
@DB: because he plays in the LOI and is as Irish as you.
@Baz Harkin: while I don’t agree with the initial post, I don’t agree with your retort. He plays for Northern Ireland. He has the option to play for Ireland which he has not exercised. He is not as Irish as someone who would exercise that option if they had the opportunity.
@Baz Harkin: Not that I agree but the courts ruled recently that those born in the North of this country are indeed British citizens and not Irish.
@Padraig Corcoran: if you don’t agree then why post it? That decision is wrong and will be challenged. As it says inside the Irish passport and written and agreed on in the good Friday agreement anyone born on the island of Ireland is Irish.
@EnKy: he’s played for the north up to under 21 level same as James McClean and Shane Duffy does that mean they aren’t ‘Irish’ either? . So by your logic is Eoin Morgan Irish or English?
@EnKy: also look at our under 21 side it’s full of great attacking options he’s probably looked at that and decided he would stand a far better chance getting international experience playing for the north.
@Baz Harkin: Surely I can bring up something I might disagree with in principle but can still be used to make a point.
@Baz Harkin: What a way to exercise one’s patriotism…
@EnKy: what’s more patriotic than denying a young man his identity based solely on which under age football team he represents
@EnKy: What a mad post. Are you suggesting that playing for Northern Ireland means you don’t have the right to Irish identity? Is Irishness only afforded to those from the south? Or those from the north who are good enough at football to represent the south?
What’s his nationality then – is he British? Or northern Irish? Do you therefore call yourself southern Irish or just Irish?
What’s paddy McCourt’s nationality?
I’ve resigned myself to the post Celtic tiger generation knowing and caring little about the north, but to have to listen to people claim we’re not Irish because we might represent the jurisdiction created by you lot selling us down the river is hard to take
@JarvisOFlaherterahry: well said!!
@JarvisOFlaherterahry: offence was not meant. Northern Ireland is Ireland all 32 counties are Ireland . But anyone who thinks that NI football team represents or wants anything Irish has never been to Windsor park match day never seen the Para or paramilitary flags or never heard the anti Fenian chants. The football team play god save the queen as their anthem.This is their right but that’s all I meant Btw The james Mc Cleans of this world have put up with more abuse because of their Irish nationalism and I have nothing but admiration for them. Anton rogan Neil Lennon booed and death threats because of their religion is the history of IFA supporters
@DB: so would you regard Neil Lennon as Irish seeing as he played for NI
@Eamonn O Connell: yes 100% absolutely of course. But wish he had played for Republic.
Its a pity people can’t take the article for what it is without going all geo political on it, I hope the young lad does well at whatever level or whichever country he plays for