McNamara leaves it late at Troon

Rory McNamara produced a Houdini act to edge dramatically into the third round of the 117th Amateur Championship at Royal Troon on Scotland’s Ayrshire coast yesterday.

The 23-year-old plus-three handicapper from Headfort seemed to be heading for the exit door when he lost the first three holes to Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen. The former Irish boys and youths international was still three behind after seven but hit top gear to win the next two with birdies. He took the 10th to square the match.

Birdies at 11 and 13 put McNamara two up, a lead he maintained until losing the 17th. He closed out the match in style though, winning the 18th when he put his second to within four feet to claim a two-hole success.

McNamara, who plays golf full-time, spending his winters in Spain and summers in Ireland, is coached at home by Brendan McGovern and in England by Stuart Morgan — and he paid tribute to both after this success.

He now plays Germany’s Stephan Jaeger, one of 22 overseas golfers in the last 32 of this competition, where the winner gets automatic entry to the Open, US Masters and US Open.

Kevin Phelan, who plays out of Waterford Castle but lives in Florida, was impressive in overcoming American Kramer Hickok by 4&3 and he now faces Australian Nathan Holman.

Phelan, a psychology student at the University of North Florida, was one up at the turn and won 13, 14 and 15 to seal victory.

Rathmore’s Walker Cup man Alan Dunbar had his work cut out to see off Spaniard Borja Virto but survived at the last to book a meeting this morning with Denmark’s Patrick Winther.

Dunbar, runner-up in the recent St Andrews Links Trophy was one down early on but turned for home all square. After a couple of exchanges he grabbed the initiative at the 15th and then held on for victory.

Dubliner Richard O’Donovan put up a tremendous battle before going down 2&1 to England’s Nathan Kimsey. The 19-year-old from Lucan was square with four to play but then drove into a bunker at 15 and lost the hole and overhit the green on the 17th to slip to defeat. Headfort’s Brian Casey and Ciaran Molloy of Ardee both went out in the first round.