The young Irish amateur Paul Dunne has been the story of this third day, showing no apparent nerves on just about the biggest stage in Golf, the Open at St Andrews
And he hasn’t just played steadily – he’s played brilliantly - and all the while maintaining a composed demeanour
"Let’s hope he keeps going. If it’s not me – let’s hope it’s him!” - Padraig Harrington
He made four birdies on the front nine, the first of which came on the opening hole, he settled into his task.
Politely acknowledging the applause as he went round, he went on to take the lead twice on his own – making six birdies and no bogeys , before holing from three feet for par at the 18th.
He ended with a round of 66, sharing the lead on 12 under.
Afterwards, Dunne spoke of the nerves he felt this morning, but said he felt settled after the third hole. Asked what he would be thinking when teeing off tomorrow "just make contact with the ball" he replied with a smile.
"Look, I'm going to put a number in my head and see if i can hit it." Well today he did, carding the lowest score for an amateur in the history of the Open.
And twice former open champion Padraig Harrington has also put his name right in the picture, with a bogey free 65, on a round which started during the worst of the conditions.
But he settled quickly, making birdies on three of the first five holes, and reeling off three more in the space of four holes on his way to the lowest round he has ever shot at and open – a 65. He’s on 10 under, two off the lead.
Afterwards, Harrington was obviously delighted with his round, but was full of praise for his fellow Irishman.
“Fantastic to see an amateur on top. And an Irish lad he’s a nice guy – let’s hope he keeps going. If it’s not me – let’s hope it’s him!”
Irish tee times for the final round
Graeme McDowell: 0905
Padraig Harrington: 1410
Paul Dunne: 1405
Paul Dunne facts:
- Booked his place at the Open through final qualifying at Woburn, finishing ahead of the likes of Retief Goosen and Colin Montgomerie, having done exactly the same 12 months earlier to secure his debut in the event at Royal Liverpool. However, he almost missed his tee time for qualifying this year after not allowing enough time for the shuttle bus to get him to the 10th tee.
- Won the 2010 Irish Youths Amateur Championship title, following in the footsteps of former Open champion Padraig Harrington.
- Aiming to become the first amateur to win the Open since Bobby Jones in 1930. He is also in line to become the first Irishman to win the silver medal, awarded to the leading amateur making the cut, since a certain Rory McIlroy at Carnoustie in 2007.
- Graduated from the University of Alabama in business finance in April. Fellow Irishman Alan Murray coached him at university and is caddying for him this week.
- Plans to turn professional later in the year after the Walker Cup, which he is trying to qualify for having been included in a provisional 20-man squad.
- Wears same apparel as two-time major winner Jordan Spieth, whom he leads by one stroke, and has been mistaken for the calendar year Grand Slam-chasing American more than once this week.
