Dunne 19th in NCAAs
Paul Dunne at Baltray last year. Picture: Thos Caffrey / www.golffile.ie
Greystones' Paul Dunne finished tied 19th, just a shot behind world amateur No 1 Patrick Rodgers in the individual standings in the NCAA Tournament in Kansas.
Scheduled to begin his defense the East of Ireland Championship at County Louth on Saturday, the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) junior was tied for eighth overnight after rounds of 66 and 71 but closed with a two over 72 to finish five shots behind eventual winner Cameron Wilson of Stanford on one-under par.
The 21-year old Irish international was the leading player for UAB, Graeme McDowell's alma mater, which finished 21st despite failing to make today's quarter-finals at the Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson.
While they had a poor final day, it was still the second best performance at the NCAAs by UAB in five appearances at the finals.
Their Irish coach, Bray native Alan Murray, was disappointed with the final day but pleased overall with the team's performance this season.
Dunne, who will tee it up for Europe in the Palmer Cup match against the United States at Walton Heath from June 26-28, has had an excellent season, winning twice and picking up another three top-five finishes from his 12 regular season events.
