Golf

Greystones unfazed at Paul Dunne’s Open achievement

Fellow club members take to the ferry to cheer on friend and local hero in final round

The scoreboard shows Ireland’s Paul Dunne top of the leader board during the third round of the British Open golf championship. Photograph: Reuters
The scoreboard shows Ireland’s Paul Dunne top of the leader board during the third round of the British Open golf championship. Photograph: Reuters
Ciarán D'Arcy Greystones
Sun Jul 19 2015 - 22:18

There was a palpable air of expectation in Greystones Golf Club last night as its members toyed with the thought of welcoming home their very own Open champion.

As the prestigious championship reaches its finishing stage in St Andrew's today, Wicklow native Paul Dunne stands on the precipice of a potentially momentous achievement as he shares an overnight lead with tour veterans Louis Oosthuizen and Jason Day.

“It’s not a surprise, no,” said Eddie Lonergan, who has played alongside the young amateur in recent weeks.

“He’s 22 years of age. Since he’s been 13 or 14 he’s ticked off boxes, as Rory [McIlroy] did. He’s always been that good, his application is quite incredible and he’s that good a player.”

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Having earned a scholarship to the University of Alabama four years ago, Dunne has been stringing together an impressive run of performances, culminating in a successful opening three days to the British Open.

“We played together underage. I’ve known him since he was 10. It was always expected – not this soon, but eventually,” said Barry Davis.

Dedication

“I’ve never seen anyone put as much dedication into anything in my whole life.”

The refined Greystones clubhouse developed an increasingly raucous atmosphere during yesterday’s round as the local lad made a charge for the top of the leaderboard.

“If he wins it will be bananas, but it will be good either way no matter what happens,” said Mr Davis.

A quirk of fate could see Dunne vying with another Irishman on the back nine today, and family friend Julian Keown believes the experience of Pádraig Harrington may provide the biggest obstacle to success rather than the daunting occasion itself.

“His biggest threat tomorrow could be Pádraig. He’s been there before and done it twice,” he said.

Still, he and six others from the club will be in Scotland today cheering on their hometown hero after catching a midnight ferry from Belfast.

Golfing partner Eddie Lonergan will also be there in a gesture of solidarity towards his fellow Greystonian.

“I can’t not go tomorrow. I can’t afford it but that goes out the window, this is like Italia 90.”