Gerard Dunne leads the Pharmaher Healthcare East of Ireland Championship after a sensational bogey-free round of 64 at his home course of County Louth Golf Club.
Dunne had a brush with home glory at the Irish Amateur Championship in Seapoint earlier this month and he has given himself another chance as he leads by two shots on eight-under-par.
Dunne made a superb start and was six-under after as many holes. The guidance counsellor birdied the first before rolling in an eagle on the par-5 2nd.
Although he bogeyed the par five third, he roared out in front with three successive birdies from the fourth.
He kept his foot on the pedal with birdies on the 12th and 18th and he will be looking to ride with a large home support over the bank holiday weekend as he chases a maiden championship.
“I think I’ve been playing in a lot of championships over the years, I’m getting a little bit older now. Knowing the golf course and having the support of the members here is obviously a huge help but there is a long way to go and just take it one shot at a time.
“I held a few nice six and seven footers today again and it’s nice to be local and good weather brings people out so was good to give them something to cheer about.”
Munster Strokeplay and Irish Boys champion John Doyle gave another glimpse of his huge potential with a classy round of 66 to lie in solo second on six-under-par.
The Fota Island teenager also made a quick start, rolling in three birdies in a row from the second before backing those up with birdies on the sixth and eighth holes.
Doyle dropped his only shot of the day on the eleventh but finish with a flourish to birdie the 16th and 17th.
Norway man Leon Sebastian Hauger is five-under-par and in third place after a round of 67 while new Castleknock recruit David Reddan carded four birdies – one on the par fives – in a blemish free 68 which had given him the early lead.
Reddan is alonsgide Ballyhaunis man John William Burke and Athenry’s David Kitt while Seapoint’s Dylan Keating is also flying the local flag at three-under-par after a 69.
Also on three-under are Ciaran Gregan of Forrest Little and Fota Island’s David Howard while former West of Ireland winner Keith Egan is part of an eight-way tie for tenth on two-under.
33 players shot in red figures including reigning Irish Amateur champion Stuart Grehan who had a mixed day that included an eagle on the par-5 6th.
Defending champion Caolan Rafferty has work to do if he is to defend his title after opening his week with a level-par 72.
Scoring HERE
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