Irish blown away at Brabazon Trophy

Alan Dunbar lost a ball on the fourth in the third round of the Brabazon Trophy at Burnham and Berrow.Alan Dunbar crashed from second to fourth after a third round 79 as Neil Raymond opened up a five-shot lead heading into the final round of the Brabazon Trophy at Burnham and Berrow.

The Rathmore player had two double bogey sevens in a birdie-free effort as playing partner Raymond shot a three over 74 to lead on one-under par from Nuneaton’s Andy Sullivan.

Dunbar is seven off the pace in a share of fourth place on six over with Carlow’s John Greene’s 75 good enough for a share of 17th place on nine over alongside Mourne’s Reeve Whitson, who posted a six over 77.

The best of the Irish on day three was Castlerock’s Aaron Kearney, who carded a level par 71 to share 37th place on 12 over with Portstewart’s Paul Cutler (73).

East of Ireland champion Richard O’Donovan had to settle for an 83 and 67th place on 23 over.

Only eight of the 68-strong field beat par on another tough day with a strong wind sending scores soaring.

The round of the day was carded by former Irish Amateur Open champion Pedro Figueiredo of Portugal, who shot a course record 67 to move up to equal 11th on 221.

The EGU reported:

Out at 8.26am in perfect weather, he covered the front nine in 31 strokes with an eagle and three birdies. Two birdies were secured with chip-ins which meant he needed only nine putts going out. His only bogey came at the 15th otherwise a 66 was on the cards.

“That was an amazing front nine,” said the 20 year old at college in Los Angeles. “But I took advantage of the conditions and my only mistake came when I got my yardages wrong at 15.”