Amateur round-up: Irish contending in Euro Am, Girls shine again
Renato Paratore, the world No 5, is the highest ranked amateur in the field. Picture via scottishgolf.org
European Amateur Championship — West Waterford's Gary Hurley will re-start his bid of the weather-delayed European Amateur Championship with a one shot lead at the Duke's Course in St Andrews.
But he's not the only Irish player in with a chance after play was abandoned towards the end of the third round due to thunder and lightning. Scores
Play was suspended just after 4.30pm due to torrential rain and electrical activity with 18 matches still on the course.
They include overnight leader Hurley, who was one over for his round and one clear of Italy's Renato Paratore and Finland's Lauri Ruuska on three under par through four holes.
England's Ben Stow — who was tied for the overnight lead with Hurley, Paratore and Ruuska — endured a torrid start, dropping six shots in his opening four holes to slide into a share of 12th spot.
While there were no updated scores for Dermot McElroy and Chris Selfridge, their last recorded scores showed them tied for fifth, just three off the pace on level par.
Stackstown's Richard Bridges was level for his round through 16 holes and eight behind on five over, tied for 23rd with Gavin Moynihan and Jack Hume, who had played eight holes.
Headfort's Rory McNamara was level through 13 and six over with Robin Dawson's 72 for eight over certain to ensure he makes the cut for the last round.
The cut was projected to fall at 10 over 223 which meant early exits for Tullamore's Stuart Grehan (82 72 72 - 226), Ardglass' Cormac Sharvin (73 77 76 - 226), The Island's Paul McBride (80 71 76 - 227), Greystones' Paul Dunne (76 80 74 - 230) and Portmarnock's Geoff Lenehan (79 74 78 - 231).
Tournament organisers decided to call a halt to the day’s play with 88 of the 142-player field having completed their third rounds.
Play will restart at 7am with the final round starting at 11am in three balls and a two-tee start from holes 1 and 10.
The winner will earn a place in next year’s Open Championship back in St Andrews and joining a roll of honour that includes Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia and Stephen Gallacher.
Girls' Home Internationals — England might have won the Girls Home Internationals at Donabate but it was a sensational week for Ireland.
The home side finished second having lost narrowly to England but amassed more match points that the champions, 19 to 18 1/2.
Debutant Annabel Wilson, just 13, won three points out of four while Killarney’s Mairead Martin won four out of four and Lurgan’s Niamh McSherry four points out of five.
