McBride heads Irish challenge in Abu Dhabi
Paul McBride. Picture: Alps Tour
The Island’s Paul McBride is just three shots off the lead heading into the final round of the Clutch Tour’s UAE Championship in Abu Dhabi.
The former Walker Cup player made eight birdies in a five-under 65 to share fifth place at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club on seven-under-par.
Jack Cope shot 65 to lead by two shots from Jack Yule, Ashley Chesters and Alkyonie Aharidis on 10-under with McBride in a six-way tie for fifth on eight-under with the likes of former Irish Amateur Open winner John Gough.
Kilkenny’s Mark Power shot a level par 70 to share 11th on six-under, just four shots off the lead, with Whitehead’s John Ross Galbraith, who shot 69.
Portmarnock’s Brandon St John shot 70 to share 43rd on two-under with Mallow’s James Sugrue, who carded a 68.
Sunshine Ladies Tour
Olivia Mehaffey fought back from four-over after 12 holes to card a one-over 72 and share 45th place after the opening round of the Platinum Ladies Open on the Sunshine Ladies Tour.
The former Curtis Cup star went out in three-over 39 on the back nine at Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate before dropping another shot at the third,
But she dug deep and birdied the fifth, seventh and eighth to end the day tied for 45th, eight shots behind Norway’s Karoline Lund, who shot 64 to lead by a shot from the Netherlands’ Nikki Hofstede and England’s Hayley Davis.
Canice Screen, who won conditional LET status at the Qualifying School in December, was tied for 67th after a three-over 74
