Fighting Irish show desert grit
Robin Dawson
Maynooth University’s Robin Dawson and Stuart Grehan showed their fighting qualities in the second round of the Patriot All-America Invitational in Arizona.
Faithlegg’s Dawson recovered from an opening 81 with a 73 to move up to tied 48th heading into today’s third and final round.
And while East and South of Ireland win Grehan slipped from tied ninth to 17th on six over, nine shots off the lead, he did well to post a second round 76 after ballooning to five over par after six holes.
Scholar @dawson_robin going with a 3wood for position on No8 in RND 2 2day @PatriotAllAm #PatriotGolfAZ #MU-_Golf pic.twitter.com/SZI7FNseCJ
— Harrington Scholars (@MU_Golf) December 31, 2015“Today was a little different story to yesterday,” the Tullamore player explained. "I didn't hit the ball as well off the tee and the course is punishing for any sort of poor shot.
"I got off to a poor start with a bogey on No 1 and a triple bogey 8 on the par-five fourth and I was five over after six holes and fearing the worst.
“But I managed to steady the ship and ground out level for the remaining 12 holes which was a good effort on this course. I'm just going to go out there tomorrow and enjoy it and see what happens.”
Dawson scored poorly on day one but he was far more efficient in the second round, posting a two over par 73.
"I hit the ball as well as I did in round one but managed to score much better and played the par fives in four shots better overall,” Dawson said.
"I felt much more comfortable on the course and I was better able to focus on each shot throughout the round."
Duke University’s Adam Wood posted a one-under-70 to lead on three under on the Gold Course at The Wigwam in Litchfield Park.
Adam Wood
University of Mississippi’s Braden Thornberry was the biggest mover of the day, firing a four under 67 to move up 14 spots to second place, one shot off the pace.
The Patriot All America is a 54-hole event featuring 84 collegiate players including one player from each military academy and select international players compete in a 54-hole championship.
Each player honours the US military by carrying a bag with the name, rank and service of a fallen or severely wounded soldier embroidered on the pocket.
Following the championship, the bags go to the players’ school for auction, with proceeds benefiting the "Folds of Honour".
For more information, visit www.patriotallamerica.com.
Top 10 Individual Results
1. Adam Wood 69-70=139 (-3)
2. Braden Thornberry 73-67=140 (-2)
T3. Carson Jacobs 71-71=142 (E)
T3. Shotaro Ban 70-72=142 (E)
T3. Chris O’Neill 70-72=142 (E)
6. David Kocher 72-71=143 (+1)
7. Sean Crocker 71-73=144 (+2)
T8. George Cunningham 69-76=145 (+3)
T8. Will Grimmer 74-71=145 (+3)
T8. Chris Petefish 72-73=145 (+3)
T8. Carson Schaake 71-74=145 (+3)
T17 Stuart Grehan 72-76=148 (+6)
T48 Robin Dawson 81-73=154 (+12)
