Local member Gerard Dunne and Athenry’s David Kitt battled tough conditions during the second round of the East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship, with both players navigating high winds at County Louth Golf Club to end the day tied at the top heading into tomorrow’s final 36 holes.
After 32 under-par rounds were recorded in relatively benign conditions on Friday, the east coast winds struck back on Saturday, turning moving day into a war of attrition for much of the field.
Only 14 rounds of par or better were signed for on Saturday, with the cut line finally settling at five over par. A total of 54 competitors will advance to Sunday’s decisive back-to-back rounds at County Louth Golf Club.
Former West of Ireland champion Keith Egan (Carton House) and reigning AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Champion Thomas Abom (Edmondstown) were among those who made it through, each finishing on the cut mark.
Kitt was one of the few to post red figures in both of his rounds as he signed for a composed one-under-par 71 to back up his opening 68.
“It was playing a lot harder than yesterday, and the wind was up, so I’m happy,” said Kitt. “I knew I was hitting it well, so no matter where you are playing or what the conditions, if you’re hitting fairways and greens, you’re going to be there or thereabouts, so I just tried to keep that going and did that for the most part today.”
Despite a battling three over par 75, it is Dunne who shares the overnight lead, with his superb bogey-free eight-under-par 64 on day one providing enough of a cushion to keep the local star in contention.
“Completely different today. Couldn’t have had two more different experiences probably in two days,” said Dunne. “We got the good side of the draw yesterday, perfect conditions, and I managed to knock in a few putts and get around in 64 which was great. It takes a little bit of pressure off when you get days like that. When the weather is poor you just have to hang in a little bit.”
Following a strong showing at the Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship, just up the road at Seapoint Golf Club, Dunne is hoping to maintain that form at his home course but knows composure will also be key come Sunday afternoon.
“These championships are very long, and you can’t get too excited no matter what score you shoot in the opening round,” said Dunne. “It’s just about going again, getting ready for the battle tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it.”
The leading duo will be joined by David Reddan in tomorrow’s final grouping. The Castleknock golfer sits just one shot off the lead after carding rounds of 68 and 72 to sit at four under. The Louth crowd will be expected out in force tomorrow, and not just for Dunne, as the county boasts five other players within touching distance of the lead. Local members Stuart Grehan and Gavin Tiernan are just two shots back on three under while defending champion Caolan Rafferty and Eoin Murphy of Dundalk and Seapoint’s Dylan Keating sit a further shot adrift on two under.
View the second-round scoring and final day tee times here
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