Sparkling 68 gets Paul McBride into South contention

Paul McBride, a student at the famous golfing academy of Wake Forest in North Carolina which numbers Arnold Palmer, Eoghan O’Connell and Darren Clarke among its alumni, demonstrated once again at Lahinch yesterday that Malahide continues to produce young golfers of the highest calibre.

McBride, 19, a member of The Island and also recognised as a highly competent hurler with the St Sylvesters club, joined joint overnight leader Cian Geraghty (Laytown & Bettystown) at the top of the leaderboard in the South of Ireland Championship at the conclusion of the 36 hole qualifiers on four under par 140.

Although the the course was reduced by some 198 yards from the first round, it remained a formidable challenge and while several players scored in the 80s, a number also certainly took full advantage.