Maria Dunne challenging for South American Amateur in Peru
Maria Dunne produced a wonderful, second round 69 in Peru.
Maria Dunne shot a magnificent second round to lead the Irish challenge at the midway point of the South American Amateur Golf Championship in Peru.
The Skerries international fired five birdies and two bogeys a three under par 69 — the best round of the women's championship by two strokes — to share second place, four strokes behind defending champion Lucía Gutiérrez of Peru at Lima Golf Club with Paula Grant (76) tied 13th on nine over.
Dunne is tied on three over par 147 with Mexico's María Fassi and Scotland's Gemma Dryburgh with Gutiérrez adding a 72 to her opening 71 to top the field on one under 143.
In the men's competition, US Mid-Amateur champion Scott Harvey (70) was joined in a share of the lead by Brazil's André Tourinho (67) on eight under 136, three clear of Welshman Jack Davidson (69), Canadian Blair Hamilton (68) and Argentinians Matías Simaski (68) and Andrés Schonbaum (66).
Two-time European Amateur champion Ashley Chesters is tied for 11th, six off the pace on two under with Moyola Park's Chris Selfridge tied 19th on level par after a 71.
The Island's Paul McBride, a scholarship golfer at Wake Forest, shares 34th on four over after a second successive 74.