GOLF DIGEST:EUROPEAN AMATEUR INDIVIDUAL: Alan Dunbar stepped up his bid for a place in the Walker Cup team at Aberdeen next month when he fired a splendid opening 68 – four under par – in the European Amateur Individual Championship in Sweden yesterday.
His score over the Halmstad course was bettered only by England’s Steven Browne and Frenchman Gary Stal in the 144-strong field.
Browne, runner-up in the English Amateur, had four birdies in the last six holes for a sensational 65, while Stal posted 66.
Dunbar, the 2010 Irish Amateur Champion and runner-up this year in the West of Ireland, went out in level par 36, then birdied four of the next five before producing a par finish to come home in 32.
Ballymena teenager Dermot McElroy posted a highly creditable 69, with halves of 38 and 31, the best inward half of any player.
Portstewart’s Walker Cup hopeful Paul Cutler struck form on the homeward half to post a three-under 69 to keep himself well in contention.
BOYS: Ireland suffered a blow to their hopes of notching back-to-back Home International title triumphs when they crashed to a shock 9½-5½ defeat at the hands of Scotland at Royal St David's, Harlech, Wales, yesterday.
But if Ireland today defeat England, who beat the hosts yesterday, then it would come down to a countback of individual games won.
The Scots led 3-2 after the foursomes, securing their three wins with something to spare.
In the singles, Bradley Neil, one of the Scottish stars this week, was immediately into his stride against Gary Hurley and notched up a 4 and 3 victory.
Kieran Lynch, Enda Craddock and William Russell secured points for Ireland but this was not sufficient.
GIRLS: Ireland made a sensational start to their bid for the Stroyan Cup in the Home Internationals at Gullane, near Edinburgh, when they swept to victory over hosts Scotland.
They laid the foundations for their excellent 6-3 success by taking the morning foursomes 2-1. This result was sweet revenge for their 5½-3½ reverse suffered at Bangor in Co Down.
Castletroy’s Chloe Ryan gave an outstanding display, winning in the foursomes with Sinéad Sexton and then in the singles.
Muskerry’s Jean O’Driscoll was also extremely impressive in overwhelming Lesley Atkins 4 and 3, while Olivia Mehaffey and Ariana Coyle Diez both won.
Today Ireland face Wales, who produced one of their best performances to beat reigning champions England 5-4.
BRITISH SENIORS: Mourne's Hugh Smyth spearheaded the Irish charge on day one of the British Seniors Open Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush.
Smyth finished the first round only a stroke off the pace set by American Frank Ford after carding a two-under 70.
Garth McGimpsey, the former Walker Cup captain, is on the heels of the leaders after a 72.
