Paul Dunne’s hard work pays off in Girona

Open Championship hero Paul Dunne celebrated one of his best days on the golf course yesterday when he emerged from the marathon Qualifying School Final Stage at PGA Catalunya Resort in Girona with a European Tour card for 2016.

The 22-year-old Wicklow man was the sole Irishman to make it through as the remaining three who made Tuesday’s cut fell by the wayside on a sweltering day in north east Spain.

Dunne kept his cool yet again — something he’s done throughout the week and indeed in the previous two rounds of qualifying he’s come through. Upwards on 1,000 players entered this year, all vieing for the lucrative cards that offer playing rights on the Race to Dubai next year.