Awesome Dawson’s sparkling 64

Tramore’s Robin Dawson stamped his authority on the Radisson Blu sponsored West of Ireland Amateur Open when he fired a championship record equalling 64 to take a three-stroke lead after the first qualifying round at Rosses Point yesterday.

The Irish international (22) dropped just one stroke in a cold northeast breeze, blasting an eagle and six birdies in a seven-under par round that equalled the 64 carded by Co Sligo’s David Brady in 2014.

“My preparation wasn’t ideal but I eventually got into a rhythm,” said a delighted Dawson, who only returned to Ireland from a holiday in Australia last Wednesday following an intensive early season schedule that took him from Argentina to South Africa and Qatar.