As the Americans flexed their muscles with a comprehensive 19-11 win over the International team for their seventh consecutive Presidents Cup victory, European golf responded with an awesome display at the British Masters. You may think that it’s too early to be thinking about this tit-for-tat Ryder Cup build up, but I can assure you that golfers from both sides of the pond will have the Ryder Cup firmly on their minds already.

Whilst it may not be surprising to see a winning score as low as -20 on Close House’s Colt Course, Paul Dunne might not have been the man we expected to shoot that winning score. The Irishman claimed his first professional title in sensational style when he capped off a final round 61 by chipping in for birdie on the last. 2018 Ryder Cup vice-captain Robert Karlsson held the overnight lead heading into the final day at -12 before slipping to third despite a four-under on the final day. However, this slip was not a case of Karlsson losing as much as it was Paul Dunne and Rory McIlroy winning. Dunne headed into day four with a one-shot lead over McIlroy, and it appeared all over when Dunne hit three birdies and an eagle in the opening six holes. But three birdies on the bounce for McIlroy forced a Northern Ireland versus Republic of Ireland battle on the back nine. Despite McIlroy’s obvious superiority, Dunne’s four birdies and zero bogeys maintained a three-stroke lead as McIlroy hit five birdies and a bogey for a -7 round and -17 overall.

It was a clean sweep of Europeans in the top ten, with seven Englishmen in the top ten heading into the weekend, including leader Tyrrell Hatton, veterans Lee Westwood & Ian Poulter and emerging talent Lee Slattery. Hatton finished T8, whilst Graeme Storm was the highest English finisher at T4.

Admittedly, America’s young team of superstars looked a frightening force over the course of the week, but seeing the vice-captain pluck a performance like that out of nowhere and witnessing the impact of a home advantage on the British players certainly offers a glimmer of hope for next year’s home Ryder Cup.

Paul Dunne - What's in the Bag?

Driver: Titleist 917 D3

Fairway Wood: Titleist 917 F3

Hybrid: Titleist 816

Irons: Titleist 718 T-MB (3 iron), Titleist 718 CB (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM6

Putter: Scotty Cameron GoLo S2

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Written by Joe Carabini

joe.carabini@foremostgolf.com