Dwyer’s short game magic

John Dwyer (above) produced a superb up and down on the 18^th to grab a share of first place alongside Mark O'Sullivan at the Balmoral Centennial Pro-Am in association with the Ramada Plaza, Belfast.

The 40-year-old Ashbourne professional carded a level par round of 69 to collect his fourth win of the season at the Belfast venue, home to the late, great Fred Daly.

Dwyer went to the turn in two-under 33 with birdies at the third and seventh. He dropped shots at the 11^th and 13^th to undo the good work of the front nine but bounced back with birdies at the par three 14^th and par five 16^th.

A double at the par four 17^th when he got into trouble off the tee and took two attempts to get out of a greenside bunker threatened to derail his challenge but that brilliant up and down at the18th for par kept him in the hunt.

“Not bad for a part-timer,” laughed Dwyer.

“I was in trouble off the tee on the 18^th again and did well to get it as close to the green as I did with my second shot.”

O'Sullivan started his round at the 10^th but struggled to the turn with dropped shots at the 13^th and 17^th. A brace of birdies at the second and third got the Piltown Driving Range professional back on track and although he dropped a shot at the fourth, he birdied the par three eighth, courtesy of a 30 foot putt, to come home in two-under par and sign for a 69.

“I'd never played Balmoral before and the swirling wind made it difficult enough,” said O'Sullivan who won the Tralee Pro-Am last month.

“The form has been up and down this year but it's good to know there's still some good golf in there now and again.”

Massereene's Noel Murray, fresh from booking his place in the NI Open Challenge at Galgorm Castle, finished a shot behind the winners following a one over par 70.

Galgorm Castle's Ross Oliver guided his amateur partners of Ed Hughes, Phil Casey and Terry Gilmore to the team prize with 87 points. Jerry Scullion (Kilkeel) and John Murray (Malahide) finished joint second with 85 points.