Doherty races 10 shots clear after 78
This six over par round, added to his second round score of 86, puts him 10 shots ahead of Welshman Mark Merrett, competing for the Great Britain team, who returned an 87 yesterday to equal Tuesday’s round.
Ragnar Olafsson of Iceland, who has been playing with them this week, slipped down the leader board when he returned a disappointing 101.
But it was a sensational day for the Buncrana man who was playing off a club handicap of 6.4 when he qualified for the competition.
He birdied the sixth en route to a front nine total of 39 and then birdied the 10th and 16th before dropping a shot at the 18th.
“I played quite well today. My putting held up although I dropped a shot at the 18th and that was disappointing. But I am looking forward to the rest of the week here,” he said.
Irish Special Olympics head golf coach Dan O’Connell, who accompanied him, said: “He played some superb golf. There were quite an amount of club members and local golfers who would have played this course regularly out there with him and they were in awe of this young lad.”
Meanwhile, Ruth O’Mahony and Kevin O’Callaghan from Cork continue to lead their respective groups in the nine hole stroke play competition at Elmgreen Golf Centre. O’Callaghan has a two-round total of 98 while O’Mahony shot a 58 yesterday to add to Tuesday’s score of 55.
In fact, the Irish had another remarkable day yesterday and lead all the divisions in the alternate competition with Liam Spillane, accompanied by Pauline O’Callaghan, and the father and son pairing of Francis and Dermot Shortt in front.
In the skills, Catherine Atkins, Fergal McDermott and Paul Clohessy all lead their respective divisions.
In athletics, Moyra Moran won a bronze medal in the 400m final.
And in the International Equestrian Centre at Kill, Mary Crosse and Ashelene Coleman won silver medals.
Claire Hayes and Ita O’Brien won silver medals in the tenpin bowling doubles.
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