Greystones starlet Paul Dunne truly a man in demand
While the future of players like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth was decided or at least outlined long before they signed professional forms, Dunne has no agreements with any agents or representatives just yet.
That wouldn’t be against the rules of amateur status as top amateurs can now sign pre-contracts with agencies as the finish up their amateurs careers.
And while Dunne might be wearing an Under Armour cap and top rather than the UAB or GUI uniforms he’s sported for the last few years, he hasn’t signed with anyone just yet.
Winning The Open would likely end his interest in the Walker Cup this September and there were at least three player agents lurking near the scorers hut after his round. They might even have been marking each other.
The family has received “a couple of calls” in the last few days but for now, they are just pinching themselves at the thought that he could win The Open.
His father Collie and mother Michelle and brother David were with him every step of the way yesterday.
And his father, a former amateur rugby star with Greystones, admitted that cardiac arrest was never far from his mind as his son surged into the lead.
“It’s that kind of feeling,” Dunne Snr, a financial controller in The Irish Times, said of the day.
“Your heart is pumping so much you are looking actually for somebody to jump start your heart again. They are type of feelings you get.
“It is a lot easier when you are out on the course and you can see the shots but the excitement is tremendous — the roars from the crowd, the excitement when the putts go in — it’s amazing.” A huge posse from Greystones followed the 22-year old across the links with the head professional Karl Holmes leading the way.
“All the members and the pro from Greystones are out,” said Dunne Snr, who admits that his youngest son is a hard worker.
“Paul always been a hard worker from day one though I’d say he gets it from his mum, Michelle.
“I played ruby but Paul always played a few sports — football and Gaelic and tennis too. But golf took over.
“When he decided to go to UAB it was hard to say goodbye but the fact that Alan Murray from our home club was there made it a lot easier. He’s an incredible guy, a super coach and a great caddie. They are having a lot of fun.
“He went to Alabama to push on with his game and the fact Graeme McDowell had gone there was just a bonus.
“He works hard in the gym. physically he works hard and gets up at 6am. Nobody works harder than he does himself.”
As Dunne was coming into the media centre for his press conference, he was congratulated by Des Smyth, who is working for BBC Five Live.
“It’s marvellous what he is doing,” said Smyth, who had chances to win the Open in his heyday. “And it’s been done before by Bobby Jones.
“How will he feel? It’s very exciting. And he’ll be up for it. He will be nervous sure, but he’s young and he’ll enjoy it. It’s a wonderful buzz.”
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