John Ross Galbraith in 2010. Picture courtesy Pat Cashman, GUI.Walker Cup star Paul Cutler and Whitehead teenager John Ross Galbraith will take a one-stroke lead into Sunday’s final 36 holes at the Mullingar Grant Thornton Scratch Trophy.

Irish Boys international Galbraith shot a two under 70 and Portstewart man Cutler a level par 72 as they topped the leaderboard by a shot on two under par from first round leader Ian Brennan (69-74) with Knock’s Nicky Grant (73-71) just two shots behind on level par.

Walker Cup player Alan Dunbar struggled to a 77 as Greenore’s Ian Brennan opened with a three under par 69 to lead the Grant Thornton sponsored Mullingar Scratch Trophy.

Just 68 players in the elite 120-man field broke 80 and only one broke par as high winds and a relentless course set up led to carnage on the opening day of the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

A stiff south-east breeze, gusting well over 30 mph from late morning, whipped across the course for the rest of the day as scores soared into the 90s.

Holland’s Robin Kind might have learnt the game on a Harry Colt designed links course but while he didn’t feel quite at home he was still the only man to finish in red figures. But even that required him to hole out from 87 yards for an eagle two at the 16th and then get up and down for par at the last two holes.