Dunne survives Kent wobble

Paul Dunne continued his triumphant march in the Amateur Championship by reaching the third round in Kent yesterday, just 24 hours after a record-breaking performance at the qualifying stage.

The 20-year-old plus four handicapper — who set a new record for the Princes course — overcame England’s Ashton Turner by 2&1 thanks to a blistering start.

He won the first four holes and when he was six up with six to play it appeared all over.

But Dunne, who has finished two years at Alabama University, then slumped to four bogeys in succession to lose all those holes and be brought back to just one.

Turner made a mess of the 17th which gifted Dunne the tie.

“I felt I was always in control never down in the gamed but if it had gone to the last, I would have been nervous,” said the East of Ireland champion from Greystones.

This morning Dunne faces England’s Garrick Porteous for a place in the last 16 after Porteous eliminated Cormack Sharvin, who Dunne lost to in the Irish final last week. Sharvin from Ardglass went down by 3&2.

Dunne was joined in the third round by Castlerock’s Aaron Kearney, a 27-year-old who only started serious competitive golf four seasons ago after quitting soccer.

Kearney was too classy for Welsh Boys champion Henry James and won 4&2, after being one down early on. Late in the match Kearney pulled clear, winning the 14th and 16th to close out victory. It is only his second appearance in the Amateur Championship — he missed qualification on his first attempt so was “chuffed” to still be in contention.

Young Jack Hume was disappointed to be eliminated in round two, beaten 2&1 by Midlander Ashley Chesters while Stackstown’s Richard Bridges and Shane McGlynn of Carton House also fell by the wayside at the second round stage and Royal Portrush battler Matthew McAlpin was edged out on the home green by Italian Ricardo Michelini at the opening hurdle.