Browne still daring to dream of East success

Former European Tour player Stephen Browne still believes he has a chance of a dream comeback victory in the East of Ireland Championship despite slipping nine shots off the pace in a "US Open-style" test at blustery Baltray.

The 40-year old from Hermitage, who played on both the European Tour and the Challenge Tour for seven years before quitting in 2008, added a 74 to his opening 75 to trail defending champion Paul Dunne (72) and Warrenpoint’s Colm Campbell (68) by nine shots on five over par.

It looks like an impossible task but having got to two under early in his first round and raced to five under after six holes yesterday, the Hermitage player is not giving up on what would be a sensational victory. “It’s been done before, many a time,” said Browne, who now sells financial planning software.