Paul Cutler is out on his own at Shannon. But there’s always someone lurking ….Portstewart’s Paul Cutler will be bidding to follow in the footsteps on current world number six Rory McIlroy when he takes a one-stroke lead into the final two rounds of the Golfsure Irish Amateur Close Championship at Shannon today.

The 22-year old Walker Cup hopeful carded a one over par 73 on another blustery day to top the leaderboard on two under par and keep alive his hopes of completing a rare West of Ireland - Irish Close double last achieved by McIlroy at the European Club in 2006.