Graeme McDowell got a text message earlier this week from a fellow Irishman who is the golfing head coach at the University of Alabama.

It’s the same university McDowell attended and the former US Open champion is a good friend of Dublin-born Alan Murray.

However after present University of Alabama student Paul Dunne finished first at Tuesday’s Open Championship qualifier Murray sent off a text message to McDowell asking if he would agree to play a practice round with the ultra-talented 21-year old Greystones golfer.

“I’ve played a few times with Paul and I was delighted to see him qualify for Royal Liverpool,” said McDowell.

“The great thing also he’s a UAB (University of Alabama) and kind of following the same sort of path I went down.

“I just got a text this week from the Dubliner Alan Murray, the head golf coach at UAB.  He asked if I would play a few practice holes with Paul when we get to Royal Liverpool so I texted Alan back saying I would be delighted to.”

Greystone’s Paul Dunne will play a Hoylake practice round with Graeme MccDowell. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)