James Sugrue all smiles after sparkling Irish Open start

The Corkman will go into today’s second round as the leading Irishman in the field

James Sugrue of Ireland tees off on the 18th hole during Day One of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Spa & Golf Resort. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

James Sugrue may not be a professional yet but if he takes the same attitude into the paid ranks he took into his opening round at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open then he is set fair for a lucrative career.

The Irish international and 2019 Amateur champion from Mallow, Co Cork, will go into today’s second round as the leading Irishman in the field, the only home golfer to post an under-par first-day score, and he did it with a smile on his face.