Irish trio struggle as rain lashes down

IRELAND flattered to deceive in the weather-affected second round of the World Amateur Team Golf Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in Buenos Aires last night.

After kicking their heels most of the day in the clubhouse - they were due to be late starters anyway - the trio made an encouraging start and looked as though they would move up the leaderboard.

Portstewart’s Paul Cutler opened with a birdie while Kevin Phelan had a birdie four at the second hole. Irish champion Alan Dunbar started with the bogey five, but birdied the second hole.

Ireland were an aggregate of two under par after three holes and had improved their position to six over for the tournament, moving up the leaderboard ten places.

However, the rain continued to lash down and as conditions worsened, Ireland started to struggle.

Cutler slumped to a double bogey six at the fourth, while Phelan dropped three consecutive strokes, starting with a bogey on the dreaded fourth. Dunbar held firm with a run of pars to stay at level par, putting Ireland at one over after six holes played.

Denmark are the new leaders, completing their round at six under par and overtaking both Canada and France, who were late starters.

Ireland finished up nine over with six holes played, in a share of 31st place and with no prospect of finishing their second round on time.