Dunne is world's second highest ranked Irish golfer; leapfrogs Lowry
Paul Dunne. Picture © @AudemarsPiguet
Paul Dunne has overtaken Shane Lowry in the Official World Golf Ranking and become the highest ranked player from the Republic of Ireland.
Ranked 88th before the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, Dunne's share of seventh place behind Tyrrell Hatton moves him to 80th and ahead of Lowry — 25th at St Andrews — who improves two spots from 84th to 82nd.
Rory McIlroy is the leading Irish golfer at No 6 in the world, down four places this year after his first winless season since 2008.
It's been a remarkable 12 months for Greystones star Dunne, who only secured his card at the Alfred Dunhill Links last year, moving to 269th in the world following his share of 25th behind Hatton on that occasion.
Latest Irish places in Official World Golf Ranking
This week (Last week) <End 2017>
- 6 (6) <2> Rory McIlroy
- 80 (88) <275> Paul Dunne
- 82 (84) <43> Shane Lowry
- 141 (143) <82> Graeme McDowell
- 163 (160) <115> Pádraig Harrington
- 290 (289) <347> Seamus Power.