Pulheim, Germany … Rookie Irish pro Paul Dunne says watching TV coverage of Ireland’s brilliant Euro 2016 victory over the more-fancied Italian side was just the inspiration he needed on day one of the BMW International Open at Gut Larcenhof.
Dunne birdied three of his closing six hols in a three under par 69 to be inside the top-10 on day one of the Euro 2m event.
Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin shot a seven under par 65 to lead the event by a shot from England’s Ollie Fisher who produced his lowest score in nine months signing for a sizzling six under par 66.
Rookie Paul Dunne draws on Ireland’s stunning success over Italy to post a three under par 69 on day one of the 2016 BMW International Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Dunne and his caddy were cheering with delight in their hotel room right up to the final whistle and with the Greystones golfer out early and showing little fear in an event he is contesting for a first time.
It left him trailing just four shots behind Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin who didn’t drop a shot in a seven under par 65.
Londoner Ollie Fisher, drawing off the Masters winning ways of Danny Willett, posted a six under par 66 while Willett, who broke through to win a first Tour title in the 2012 BMW International Open, signed for a 74.
Dunne did struggle with the driver hitting just three of 14 fairways but he made up for an indifferent long-game display with some deft short-iron play.
And after struggling to miss the cut in his last two events Dunne is backing himself in helping to deliver an Irish winning trifecta this weekend.
“Karl (caddy) any myself were up in our hotel room screaming and roaring with delight so much I think we were waking-up our neighbours,” said Dunne smiling.
“It was just so brilliant and so exciting and just makes you so proud to be Irish, so hopefully we can do the same to France on Sunday.
“It is inspirational watching Ireland win and it does lift your spirits and everyone around you, as the team plays with a lot of passion so we could be heading for a great weekend.
“So if Ireland could be South Africa in the deciding rugby test match on Saturday and then Ireland can beat France on Lyon on Sunday, and then if I could win here in Germany what a weekend that would be for Ireland sport.”
There’s odds of 3,100 to 1 of Ireland defeating the Springbok’s on Saturday in Port Elizabeth and then Ireland humbling host Euro 2016 nation France on Sunday ahead of Dunne winning a first Tour title.
And Scotland’s Richie Ramsay earned himself a Euro 170,00 yet to be released BMW 760 Li V-12 luxury sedan for an ace at the 16th.
MEANTIME
Dunne is delighted to again be returning to Woburn next Tuesday for a 36-hole Open Championship qualifier.
It is the third year in succession Dunne will tee-up at Woburn and looking also to make it three times lucky.
“I put down Woburn as my first choice and was delighted to learn I will be heading back next to try and again qualify for The Open,” he said.
“Hopefully, I can make it three times lucky.”
Indeed, Dunne had qualified at Woburn for the 2014 Open and then a year was the leading qualifier before heading to St. Andrews and go so close to becoming the first amateur in 80 years to capture golf’s oldest Major.
