Aggression pays for Dunbar

Alan Dunbar has decided to get more aggressive on the Challenge Tour. Picture © Getty ImagesAlan Dunbar unleashed his inner demon to scorch into a share of the clubhouse lead in the weather-delayed Open Blue Green Côtes d’Armor Bretagne on the European Challenge Tour.

The former British Amateur champion, who only turned professional following the Masters Tournament in April, has found it tough to turn his good play into money spinning results.

Opting for a more aggressive strategy was an option and it worked for him at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André in Brittany where he fired a four under 66 to take the early clouhouse lead alongside former amateur stars Moritz Lampert and Jamie McLeary.

“I’m not sure why I’ve played better on The European Tour this year,” explained Dunbar, who has played 11 events since he turned pro (6 European Tour, 5 Challenge Tour) but made just five cuts with three of the cheques coming in European Tour events.

“I’ve played well on this Tour too, but the cuts I have missed have only been by a shot. I’ve been playing well all year, just not getting the breaks, and I had a nice run there in July on the main Tour, but it is just about getting those breaks, and hopefully I can finish the season on a high.

After a four-hour fog delay at Golf Blue Green de Pléneuf Val André, the leading trio came out firing to lead by one after 18 holes, with half of the field still to finish their first round.

It is a fine start for the former British Amateur champion who has only been a professional for four months, and has had mixed fortunes so far, splitting his time between both the Challenge and European Tours in 2013.

“The standard at the top is very similar, and I’ve only been a pro for four months, so I hope this is just the start of a long career.

“I was a bit more aggressive today off a few tees, and I think that is what I have struggled with when only missing the cut by a shot, being a bit too negative, and being more aggressive today seemed to work.”

Waterville’s Mark Murphy took advantage of a sponsor’s invitation to shoot a level par 70 worth a share of 32nd with Gareth Shaw a shot further back after making five birdies and six bogeys in a frustrating 71.

Peter O’Keeffe was two over with five to play when he had a quadruple bogey eight at his 14th hole and did well to limit the damage to a three over 75 in just his eighth start this season.

Play will restart in round one on Friday morning at 8.30am local time