A round-up of today's other Golf stories in brief...
Boys set up title clash with England
BOYS INTERNATIONALS:The rain might have continued its assault on Royal County Down's championship links, but the drama and quality of golf on display was anything but a damp squib on the second day of the Boys Home Internationals. Ireland and England had enjoyed success in the morning foursomes, and though Wales and Scotland gave them a run for their money in the afternoon singles, ultimately the hosts and the defending champions came through.
The results have set up a dramatic, final-day encounter between the two unbeaten nations to fight it out for the R&A Trophy.
And as if inspired by the sunshine, the Welsh boys outperformed their hosts in the early matches to win the first two games, with Ben Enoch beating Irish captain Alan Dunbar 3 and 1 and Chris Nugent of Fulford Heath stopping Luke Lennox's unbeaten run in the week.
Rhodri Harston then provided the shock of the day: not only did he beat his Irish opponent Garth McGee, who was undefeated in three matches, but he beat him by a handsome 7 and 5 margin. But while it looked for a moment as if the Welsh team had a real chance of overturning their one-point deficit from the foursomes, it was not to be.
Ireland then turned the match on its head, claiming wins in all seven games left on the course.
Reeve Whitson, whose father Kevan is the professional at Royal County Down, added a 4 and 3 singles victory to his 4 and 3 triumph from the foursomes.
The last match came down the 18th hole with Ireland's Paul Dunne one ahead of Welshman Ross McLister. Dunne had been one down on the 14th tee, but won that hole and the 16th to take a one-up lead which he held all the way in.
It was more than just a matter of pride: Dunne's valuable point established a winning margin of 10-5 for Ireland, ensuring that Ireland will head into today's deciding match against England level on points with the defending champions.
GIRLS INTERNATIONALS:Ireland's chances of winning the Stroyan Cup in the Girls Home Internationals at the Panmure Club near Carnoustie ended when they were surprisingly held to a share of the spoils by Wales.
Leading 2-1 following the foursomes, they were pegged back in the singles, losing 3½-2½ for an overall 4½-4½ scoreline.
Particularly surprising was the 2 and 1 defeat suffered at the bottom of the order by Slieve Russell 13-year-old Lisa Maguire by Natasha Gobey.
At the top of the order Irish women's champion Leona Maguire easily accounted for Katie Bradbury by 7 and 6.
England moved to the brink of regaining the title when they overwhelmed Scotland 6½-2½.
SENIOR BRITISH AMATEUR:Irish competitors got off to a strong in the first round of the Seniors British Open Amateur Championship at Royal Cinque Ports & Princes.
Adrian Morrow of Portmarnock was in a share of sixth place after his 73 left him just two shots off the lead, while Séamus McParland of Greenore, Barry Reddan of County Louth and defending champion Arthur Pierse of Tipperary were just a shot back on 74.
