Dunne seeking desert bloom

PAUL DUNNE will be hoping some of Shane Lowry’s desert magic has rubbed off when he tees it up in the Oman Open seeking his second European Tour win this week.

The Greystones man (26) rented a house in Dubai with Lowry to prepare for the new season.

While it was the Offaly man who hit the jackpot first, winning the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship in his first outing this year, Dunne went back to the UAE seeking warm-weather inspiration last week after coming close to his second win in the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth.

The world number 111 put some indifferent form behind him on the European Tour’s recent Australian swing, finishing 17th in the ISPS Handa Vic Open before claiming third place in Perth, losing to eventual winner Ryan Fox in the semi-finals before winning a play-off to secure a podium finish.

Now he’s ready to get back into the thick of the action after taking a week off to recharge in Dubai.

He’s joined at Al Mouj golf by Mount Juliet touring professional Gavin Moynihan, who will be looking to get his season motoring again after his missed cut in Perth.

While just none of the world’s top 50 are in action in Oman, three of the world’s top-10 tee it up in the Honda Classic at PGA National in Florida – Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Brooks Koepka.

Local residents Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods are resting ahead of next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

But Seamus Power and Graeme McDowell are looking to build on encouraging recent performances in Los Angeles and Puerto

Rico respectively with Pádraig Harrington pulling out earlier this week to allow his wrist injury more time to heal.

Oman Open

Live, Sky Sports, 6.30am

The Honda Classic

Live, Sky Sports, 7.0pm