West Waterford’s Gary Hurley stormed into the lead in the European Amateur Championship on the Dukes Course at St Andrews yesterday following a stunning opening round.

A record-equalling seven under par 66 moved West Waterford’s Gary Hurley into joint fifth in the English Open stroke-play championship for the Brabazon Trophy at Seaton Carew, Hartlepool on Saturday.

Ireland’s Stuart Grehan moved up the leaderboard in the English Open Strokeplay championship for the Brabazon Trophy at Seaton Carew, Hartlepool yesterday with a stunning four-under-par 69.

They came in busloads and carloads from West Waterford to support their 21-year-old hero who, on Friday, had captured the imagination of the golfing world by shooting a superb five under par 66 at the Irish Open.

For the first time since 1980, the North of Ireland Amateur Golf Championship, at Royal Portrush, will be extended, until Saturday at least, because fog caused suspension of play yesterday evening.

Brian Casey had to be content with second spot in the English Open strokeplay championship for the Brabazon Trophy at Formby after a final round hiccup.

A decision by Shane Lowry not to let the Alpine course overshadow him paid dividends, with the Esker Hills star producing his equal-best round in four appearances in the Omega European Masters.

Alan Dunbar bounced back from a poor opening round to equal the course record at Carton House’s Montgomerie layout and leap into contention at the European Amateur Championship.

INSPIRED by a tip from compatriot Christy O’Connor Jnr, Des Smyth captured his fourth European Senior Tour title in thrilling fashion with a sublime round of 65 at the Van Lanschot Senior Open in Holland yesterday.

ALAN DUNBAR stepped up his challenge for the Brabazon Trophy at Burnham and Berrow on the Somerset coast yesterday with a stunning three-under-par 68 in his second round.

NIALL KEARNEY believes he’s ready to join his old amateur team mates Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry on the European Tour after a brilliant three-under par 69 left him inside the vital top 30 after four rounds of the Qualifying School finals at PGA Golf de Catalunya.

Shane Lowry will not be at Wentworth this week for the European Tour’s flagship BMW PGA Championship – but that does not mean the new Irish Open champion is staying amateur until after September’s Walker Cup.

Walker Cup captain Colin Dalgleish today insisted he was hopeful that new golf sensation Shane Lowry will stay amateur until he has competed against the Americans in September.

SHANE LOWRY’S victory at Baltray is part of the ongoing success story that is the Golfing Union of Ireland.

Portstewart's Paul Cutler will face Johann López Lázaro of France in the quarter-finals of the Spanish Amateur Championship in Girona tomorrow.

Banbridge's Richard Kilpatrick fired a sensational six-under par 66 to scorch into an impressive six-stroke lead at the halfway stage of the East of Ireland Amateur Open Championship at Co Louth.

Rory McIlroy missed the cut as fellow Ulsterman Richard Kilpatrick moved to within a shot of the lead in the Brabazon Trophy at the Forest of Arden.

Rory McIlroy struggled to a six-over par 78 in the first round of the Brabazon Trophy at the Forest of Arden.

Holywood's Rory McIlroy continued his impressive start to the season when he finished tied for eighth in the Brabazon Trophy at Ganton in Yorkshire on Sunday.

Sixteen-year-old Rory McIlroy (Holywood), who successfully defended the West of Ireland

CHARL SCHWARTZEL, a South African youngster who will celebrate his 19th birthday on August 31 (the same day Padraig Harrington turns 32), lit up The K Club yesterday when he shot a remarkable eight under par 64 to get within one stroke of joint leaders Phillip Price and Darren Clarke at the halfway stage of the Smurfit European Open.

ALTHOUGH there has been a serious drain to the professional ranks, especially where outstanding players like Graeme McDowell, Michael Hoey and Stephen Browne are concerned, Irish captain Eddie Dunne is positive where his team’s prospects in this week’s home international at Royal St David’s, Harlech, are concerned.

THE build-up to the selection of the first ever Irish side to compete in the World Team Championship for the Eisenhower Trophy in Malaysia next October continues.

BARRY REDDAN is set to become the oldest winner of the Shell-sponsored South of Ireland Championship.