Final round woes continue for Paul

FOR the second time in April, a disappointing final round has cost Paul Dunne glory.

The Greystones man went into the final day of Open de Espana with the lead but would have to settle for runners-up after 71 shots in round four which allowed Spaniard Jon Rahm to pip him to the gold courtesy of -5 score on Sunday.

Dunne had also been in the frame heading into the climax of the Houston Open but a triple bogey killed his hopes and he would eventually finish sixth.

Former Eire Og star Dunne does have the consolation of a €166,660 cheque and he will also move up in the world rankings and the Ryder Cup points list but he will rue the fact that a second professional success eluded him by such a small margin.

Rounds of 66,65 and 68 respectively had seen Dunne take a one-shot lead into Sunday but in the end, he had to birdie the 18th to secure second.

Dunne will look to go one better next week as he heads to Morocco for the Trophee Hassan II.

Wicklow’s Paul Dunne and Nacho Elvira of Spain on the 18th green during the third round of the Open de Espana at Centro Nacional de Golf on April 14 in Madrid, Spain.