McGovern the governor at Dundrum House

Late in the evening, at Dundrum House, Brendan McGovern walked in to take charge of the €18,000 Philip Walton Pro-am Tournament. The Headfort professional posted a five-under-par 67 to leap into the overnight lead.

McGovern carded something of a yo-yo round with birdies and bogeys mixed but seven of the first and only two of the latter. He upstaged European Tour player Damien McGrane by one shot.

McGovern made birdie three at the first hole but gave that shot back at the par four second. A birdie three flew in at the third hole and he pencilled in another birdie three at nine to cover the outward run in two-under 33.

The Headfort man carved out another birdie three at the 10th and he trimmed the long 13th hole to four blows. His other bogey was a five at 14 but he then glued together back-to-back birdie threes at 15 and 16 for a back nine of 34.

After McGrane’s bogey-free 68 there is a gap of four strokes to Cian McNamara and David Mortimer who share level par 72 with late finishers Damian Mooney and Peter Martin.

Fernhill pro Wayne O’Callaghan and his amateur partners lead the team event on 94 points. The tournament will be completed today.