Paul Dunne books Open spot with third Woburn win

Paul Dunne completed a hat-trick at Woburn when he won the final qualifying for The Open for the third year in a row to earn his place at Royal Troon.

A year after his amateur heroics at St Andrews, where he held the joint lead with a round to go, only to shoot 78 to finish tied 30th behind Zach Johnson, the Greystones star, 23, claimed one of three spots on offer at the Marquess Course.

He followed a flawless four under par 68 in the morning with 67 in the afternoon for nine under par 135 to win by one from England’s Ryan Evans, with Robert Rock a shot further back after taking the third spot in a play-off with compatriot Aaron Rai.