Dunne in mix for Houston title

PAUL DUNNE was battling hard to make his Masters dream come true in Houston last night.

The four Irish players in the Houston Open all knew that only victory in the tournament would book them a trip to Augusta for the first Major of the golfing season.

It was Greystones man Dunne who was doing best of the quartet as he hit the turn in his third round just a shot off the lead on 11 under after a solid opening nine holes yielded two birdies, though some 10 players were separated by a single shot at the top.

On a sunny afternoon at the Golf Club of Houston, Shane Lowry had a tough time, dropping two shots on the front nine to drop back to six under.

Padraig Harrington was back on four under and Seamus Power three under overall as they approached their closing holes.