Dunbar on a high but still ambitious

A proud son of Rathmore. Alan Dunbar with the Amateur Championship trophy. Photo Pat Cashman/www.cashmanphotography.ieLocal hero Alan Dunbar insists he’s got nothing to lose at Royal Portrush after soaring to victory in the British Amateur.

The Rathmore starlet 22, is now part of club legend alongside US Open champion and Ryder Cup saviour Graeme McDowell.

And while he’s running on fumes after playing 11 rounds in six days at Royal Troon, he doesn’t rule out matching Shane Lowry by winning the Irish Open as an amateur.

Still floating on air, Dunbar said: “Obviously to have that win in my bag takes a lot of pressure off for the rest of the year.

“But I still want to do well.

“I had a long week last week and played 11 rounds of golf, which is what these guys play in two weeks.

“I’m a bit tired but I’ve been resting up for the past few days so I’ll be ready for Thursday to give it 100 percent.”

Alan Dunbar still can’t believe he won the British Amateur title. Photo Jenny Matthews/www.golffile.ieLowry grabbed the 2009 Irish Open at Baltray as an amateur and Dunbar sees no reason why that can’t happen again.

With amateur pals Harry Diamond, Dermot McElroy and Patrick McCrudden also teeing it up, he said: “It’s certainly possible.

“We are all playing in the golf tournament and we are all playing for a reason and we are all good golfers.

“I’m sure Shane was asked that question before he played at Baltray, so it’s definitely possible.”

Dunbar admits that he still hasn’t made up his mind about turning professional if he makes it through the  Q-School in December.

He will have until next May to take up his card if he gets it but insisted yesterday he was putting everything on hold until next week.

Confirming he has accepted an invitation for the Scottish Open in two weeks - a perfect warm up for the following week’s Open at Royal Lytham, he said: “I still haven’t got my head around last week yet.

“Next week I’ll sit down and really think about the plans for the future.”