Irish starlet Paul Dunne living the dream after sensational Open start at St Andrews

Paul Dunne may only be 22 but he already has his barstool bragging rights lined up for old age, after an opening round at St Andrews which saw him briefly stand atop The Open leaderboard.

Not bad for an amateur at the home of golf, who will begin today’s second round on the Old Course as Ireland’s leading competitor after 18 holes.

Dunne, from Greystones and just out of the same University of Alabama-Birmingham that was once home to Graeme McDowell, outscored the former US Open champion and the rest of his more illustrious compatriots during a memorable day on the links.