PAUL DUNNE WILL take a one shot lead into the final round of the Open de Espana after a birdie finish ensured he remained atop the leaderboard in his bid to claim a second career title.
Dunne has led in Madrid since the opening round and produced another impressive display this afternoon as he picked up three shots before the turn, and then another on the 12th hole.
The Wicklow man then showed huge resolve to scramble to save par on 14, 15 and 16 but after finding the water on the par-three 17th, carded his first bogey of the day, dropping back towards the chasing pack which includes home favourites Nacho Elvira and world number four Jon Rahm.
But Dunne, like he has done all week, bounced back with a birdie on the last to head into Sunday in pole position to follow in the footsteps of Irishmen Eddie Polland, Eamonn Darcy, Pádraig Harrington and Peter Lawrie to win this tournament.
The 25-year-old signed for a four-under par round of 68 to sit on 17-under, one stroke clear of Elvira and two of Rahm and Swede Henric Sturehed.
Dunne has continued his impressive early-season form at Centro Nacional de Golf after back-to-back top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, and now he’ll look to make that count on Sunday with a second European Tour title now very much in his sight.
He was three-under through the front nine thanks to successive gains at five, six and seven and he picked up another birdie at the 12th.
One roll away from a closing eagle...
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) April 14, 2018
But @dunners11 leads into the final round. pic.twitter.com/RHAbB5tVg0
The only blip on his scorecard was that bogey four at the 17th, where his ball ended in the water, but he reclaimed that dropped shot immediately on the par-five last.
“It’s probably the best my swing has felt, the best my body has felt like it’s been moving, but I just didn’t pull the shots off,” said Dunne.
“There was a lot of grinding there on the back nine but I’m happy to get in with four under. I probably wouldn’t have taken it at the start of the day but given the shots that I hit, I’m pretty happy with it leading into tomorrow.
“Everything feels good, the game feels great, I just didn’t pick shots. I hit a few shots without having a shot in mind so that’s something to work on for tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll have a good day. I’m confident about tomorrow.”
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After tonight if all goes well conor should get it :)
Ahead of Andy Lee? Seriously?
I think it could be because there has been irish world champion boxers before we’ve never had a world champion in the ufc before if Conor was to win tonight
Whoever gets it needs to have won something major. Conor winning would certainly put him in the running. Andy Lee, Paul O’Connell and Rory McIlroy are all very worthy, as are some of the others nominated
The judging period is from last December to today, Conor winning tonight wouldn’t be considered for this year’s award and would instead count towards his claim for the 2016 award (like Andy Lee wasn’t considered for the 2014 awards for win over Korobov last December)
Manager of the year… Brian Cody. About time he received this award.
Michael O’Neill.
Would like to see Connacht involved .. there having their best season ever
Michael Conlan all the way. World and European gold this year and a brilliant boxer to watch
Paul O Connell. Why?
Because he’s a great lad, mammy’s love him, and he’s retiring!!
6 Nations winning captain. Puts the “fear of god” into people.
Conlan would be my pick
My picks on first thought would probably be McGreggor if he wins tonight, the Irish boxing team for team of the year and Willie Mullins for manager of the year.
Player would be either Paul O’Connell (for 6 Nations unfortunately not WC ) or Conor McGregor (if he beats Aldo) and Jim Gavin for Manager
I love Paul everyone does. Just saying if they are picking a rugby player. I think Ian Henderson. I’m Munster. But there’s eff all there to pick
You’re Michael, no?
Has to be Billy Walsh for manager of the year. He’ll probably win it in the states next year. A special mention for IABA for cock-up of the year.
No John kavanafh for manager of the year ?
Or Stephen Kenny. What does the man have to do?
Two managers unlucky not to be nominated = Pat Lam & John Kavanagh
OK it shd b Maurice Fìtz for his achievements with Kerry team St Marys…Legend
*kavanagh sorry
Conor Mcgregor, northern ireland and Michael O Neill, all amazing achievements in 2015