Paul Dunne’s sensational 65 at qualifier seals ticket to The Open

Greystones’ Paul Dunne fired an eagle and six birdies in a sensational second round 65 to top the final qualifying for The Open at Woburn and clinch his place at St Andrews later this month.

It’s the second year in a row the 22-year-old has topped the qualifiers over the Marquess Course at Woburn, adding a 65 to his opening 70 to take top spot by three shots on nine under from Robert Dinwiddie and by four from Retief Goosen, who had to playoff for the last spot.

After missing the cut by two shots at Hoylake last year, Dunne reckons he’ll be better able to handle the demands on a major when he joins Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, Shane Lowry, Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell at the Old Course from July 16-19.