A course record 66 from England’s James Heath helped them to the leading qualifiers position at the European Youths Team Championship at The Island Golf Club in Donabat.
Heath, who played the 6th–9th holes in just 12 strokes, was 2 under at the turn and came home in 3 under for a final score of 5 under par.
The Irish team did not fare so well however narrowly missing out on a first flight placing having ended the day in 9th position on a countback from France. Ireland’s best score of the day came from Paul O’Hanlon (Curragh) who signed for a three over par round of 74.
Stephen Crowe (Dunmurry) carded a 75, Cathal O’Malley (Westport) and Clancy Bowe (Tramore) carded rounds of 76 while Harry Diamond (Holywood) shot 77 and Niall Turner of Muskerry went around in a disappointing nine over par 80.
This now means that Ireland cannot win the event outright, but will battle it out in the second flight of matchplay, and will play their next match on Friday. England face 8th place France and will be hot favourites to capture the title which they last won at Kilmarnock in 2000.
There was better news however from Finland where the Irish Boys team qualified in second position at the European Boys Team Championship and will now face Italy in tomorrow’s matchplay. The leading Irish player was 16 year old Rory McIlroy who carded a three under par round of 69.
Filed by Rob Wright
