John O'Sullivanon the exploits of amateur Pat Murray

Pat Murray is the toast of Tipperary following his exploits here. The Irish international, the only amateur in the field, shot a level par 72 to stand at four over and comfortably make the cut.

In achieving that goal he made friends and acquaintances a little bit richer, or at least those who availed of a decent price at the bookmakers. Unfortunately for Murray, he was too late when he went to back himself for playing at the weekend.

"When I got to do it, betting had been suspended (on that particular market) in Tipperary," he smiled. "Everyone else had a bet so I made everyone else money bar myself. I started at 22 to 1 on Monday, was 16 to 1 on Tuesday morning, 4 to 1 on Tuesday evening, and by the time I got there betting had been suspended.

"Paddy Power was the best available at that stage, 5 to 2 for me to make the cut. I'll have to go and start collecting - or they're going to have to buy me a pint at least.

"I'm just going to enjoy it because I have achieved the goal that I wanted to achieve here. Everything from here is a bonus."

The 35-year-old produced a superb round in 40mph, gusting winds; at one point it looked like being a sub-par effort.

Starting on the 10th, he couldn't have wished for a more fraught opening, missing a putt from about a foot for bogey. The response to this setback was stunning. On the next hole he hit a six-iron to six feet and holed for birdie, the first of three in succession.

At the 12th his 100 yard wedge shot lipped out for eagle and he was left with a tap-in birdie, while at the next hole a seven-iron to eight feet continued the run.

He still hadn't had a par, a trend that was to continue for a further two holes. Three-putting from 20 feet cost him a shot at the 14th, but he immediately reclaimed the dropped stroke by holing from 15 feet at the par-four 15th.

The roller-coaster continued on the 18th when, having driven into the right rough, he got a flier from his pitch and the ball careered into the water. Despite taking bogey, he still turned in one under regulation figures.

While he dropped a couple of more shots on the first and eighth holes, he finished with a flourish by chipping in from the apron, about 12 feet from the pin, for birdie.

"I'm delighted. I'm long enough playing the game and never played in a pro event."

There is one downside to making the weekend, as Murray won't be able to assist Limerick Golf Club - he's the secretary/manager - in their Barton Shield match this evening.

He's certainly made the most of the coveted invitation to the tournament. "With the way the schedule has gone with the West (of Ireland Championship), Lytham (Trophy), Irish Amateur, Brabazon (Trophy), East (of Ireland) and Irish Close, something had to give.

"I did say that if there was an invite for here given to the GUI, that I would be available."

Last weekend he finished in a tie for sixth in the Irish Amateur Open, coping admirably with the extremely windy conditions. It was the perfect tune-up for yesterday.

This week began with him fulfilling his role at Limerick Golf Club, attending to "bookings, banking, subscriptions; basically a tidy up after the weekend".

On Tuesday he played a practice nine holes in the company of Thomas Levet and Emanuele Canonica. "They're two lovely fellas. I know the place (Adare), but just wanted to see the rough."

The Tipperary town native explained just how much more difficult it was playing Adare than facing the winds at Royal Dublin last week. "A seaside wind, you know it's coming from the right and it's consistent. You have the option of knocking it in along the ground. Here you can't. The rough is just too heavy.

"You are standing over a shot and you know the wind is blowing hard from the right but you can't hit it out there. Everything has to be held up into the wind or on the right side of the fairway. You can't play punch, you can't pitch and run. Everything has to be hit and hit hard on to the green.

"I don't mind, though. I'm just enjoying myself."

And for those who invested in him, ensuring a pleasant weekend to boot.