Dutchman flying despite real fear of strong winds

HOLLAND’S Robin Kind came back from an early double bogey to snatch the first round lead thanks to a late eagle two in the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin yesterday.

The 19-year old former Dutch underage soccer international was the only man in the field to break par as he defied winds gusting over 30mph to fire a one-under 71 for a one-stroke lead over Greenore’s Ian Brennan and Welsh Walker Cup hope Rhys Pugh.

Kind grew up on a links designed by Royal Dublin creator Harry Colt but he didn’t feel quite at home, confessing: “My home course has got a lot more dunes than beach and it’s not as windy as here. I don’t like to play in a lot of wind but it went well today.”