FRUSTRATED DUNNE LOOKING FORWARD TO BREAK FROM LINKS PLAY AS HE UNDERGOES PROCEDURE

PAUL DUNNE is almost looking forward to undergoing a minor surgical intervention today after bringing three weeks of links frustration to an end at The Open, writes BRIAN KEOGH.

The Greystones star (25) closed with a three-over-par 74 to finish near the back of the field on seven-over.

And, after following a tied 40th finish in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open with a missed cut in the Scottish Open, Dunne (right) is more than happy to down tools for a few days.

“I didn’t play well,” he admitted with a shrug. “I wasn’t really playing for much anyway. Not a great week.”

Dunne played without strapping on his right wrist for the first time all week and will now have a small cyst removed today.

Given his frustration with his golf, being forced to take three days off from practice will be a relief after four weeks on the road. “I think it’s just a tiny needle in to burst the cyst,” he said. “I don’t think it’s a big deal, I’ll be in and out in an hour. Apparently, it’s very common.

“I can’t play for three days after so I guess I’ll do other stuff. Don’t know what to do now. After playing for four week, I don’t know, it is what it is. Go home and watch TV.”

It says it all about Dunne’s frustration with his game that he couldn’t think of one positive from his week other than the fact that he played all four rounds. He’s looking forward to some rest before playing the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Akron and the US PGA in St Louis.

If he’s excited about playing two events worth a combined $20.5m, he isn’t letting on.

He said: “I’m not really thinking about it now, honestly. I’ll be happy when I get there, I’ll be happy not playing a links golf course. Three weeks of links a year is enough for me.”