Inside Golf: Paul Dunne the star attraction at Portrush

Open Championship hero Paul Dunne will attract much of the attention at Royal Portrush in two weeks as Ireland bid to defend their Home Internationals title on home soil.

Dunne’s brilliant performance at St Andrews nine days ago, when he became the first amateur since Bobby Jones to lead The Open after 54 holes, captured headlines worldwide. Despite fading on the final day of the weather-delayed major, the 22-year-old from Greystones could have been forgiven for being tempted to turn professional following his tie for 30th place at the Home of Golf.

Yet Dunne has decided to retain his amateur status in order to make a Walker Cup appearance for GB & Ireland at Lytham this September and in the meantime will help spearhead a strong Home Internationals selection from the Golfing Union Of Ireland, supported by Fairstone Financial Management, for the men’s title defence from August 12 to 14.