I’VE DUNNE IT
Dubliner Paul holds off Rory for maiden win
Not even a glorious weekend cameo from Rory McIlroy could disturb the composure of Irishman Paul Dunne, as he holed an incredible pitch shot on the 18th to register a memorable first victory on tour at the British Masters.
All week the locals had got behind this event and the decibel levels were off the charts as McIlroy picked up five shots in six holes on the back nine. He was just one off the lead striding to the 18th and playing with such swagger it was as if this lost year was simply a bad dream.
McIlroy followed his 64 on Saturday with a 63, his lowest score of the year, and yet it was still not enough to close the gap on Dunne, who could hardly have been as cool inside as he looked and yet never once lost his nerve.
A wonderful event got the finish it deserved when Dunne, who had missed the green at the difficult par-three 18th, played the perfect recovery to complete a brilliant 61 and a three-shot victory. What a way to win for the first time.
McIlroy said: ‘ Going into the weekend I’d have thought I’d have a chance shooting 64-63, which just shows how well Paul played. He started well and had the lead all day but still finished birdie- birdie. He didn’t let anything get to him. It was very impressive.’
Dunne said: ‘ I’m thrilled to prove something to myself with that finish. to beat a field of this quality with Rory finishing second is an amazing feeling.’
As ever, there was a moment of good luck along the way. A piece of outrageous fortune if truth be told, following a rare bad shot from Dunne. It came at the 11th, where his approach was missing on the left and heading for a horrible spot. When the ball landed, though, it caught the edge of a sprinkler and bounced bizarrely back in the direction from whence it came, finishing just four feet from the flag. A near certain bogey had been transformed into a tap-in birdie.
If that was an instance of the luck of the Irish it was equally the case that Dunne deserved it. He had put himself in position to win on the strength of a stunning start to his round that saw him pick up five strokes in the first six holes. For the next three torturous hours the earnest 24-year-old Dubliner kept his concentration in the face of the McIlroy onslaught to earn his victory the hard way — and the most satisfying.
It has turned a solid season into a very good one as he seeks to realise all the promise and potential he showed during a glittering amateur career.
one of the highlights came in the open at St Andrews in 2015, which he led after three rounds — the first amateur since 1927 to lead the game’s showpiece tournament with a round to go.
Since then, things haven’t been all plain sailing. He looked as though he was on course for his first win in April until victory in the Hassan trophy in Morocco was snatched from under his nose by Italian Eduardo Molinari following a play-off.
No such mishaps this time, and no heart-racing drama either following that escape at the 11th. Even having to stand on the 17th tee for 15 minutes with his onestroke lead didn’t faze him. He struck a wonderful drive, played a beautiful pitch to six feet and rolled in the birdie putt to double his lead. What followed at the 18th put the finishing touch to an unforgettable display.
Almost as pleased were veteran Swede Robert Karlsson finishing third to remove fears of losing his tour card, and Florian Fritsch, who finished joint fourth.
the personable German is plying his trade successfully despite the considerable handicap of a phobia of flying. He’s almost at the end of his season, therefore, because he can’t play in Asia or the Middle East.
this performance has given him a fighting chance of retaining his card, if he can pick up a few more precious points at the Dunhill Links at St Andrews this week.
As for the English players who dominated for the first two days, the second half of the event was a disappointment, to say the least. Local hero Graeme Storm finished joint fourth but tyrrell Hatton didn’t perform, and Ian Poulter finished tied 11th.
the host Lee Westwood didn’t play as well over the weekend either, finishing with a 69 for tied 15th. But he can be justly proud of this event he hosted — the best attended British Masters in history. He persuaded the likes of Rory to come and what a party the locals enjoyed. the European tour now know what they’re missing when they neglect regions such as the North East.