Strong start by Ireland in European Amateur Team Championship
Jack Hume. Picture: Pat Cashman
Walker Cup prospect Jack Hume led the way as Ireland got off to a strong start in the European Amateur Team Championship at Halmstad Golf Club in Sweden on Tuesday.
The Naas ace, one of six Irish players with a realistic chance of selection for September's Walker Cup, had five birdies and just one bogey in a fou under 68 to share second place in the individual standings, one shot behind leader Morten Toft Hansen of Denmark.
Ireland are in third place in the team standings, which counts five of the six scores, one stroke behind co-leaders France and Denmark ahead of Wednesday's final qualifying round.
Their goal is to make Flight A for the top eight and battle for the title which escaped them 12 months ago when they fell to Spain in the final.
Dermot McElroy. Picture: Golf.se
Ardglass' Cormac Sharvin continued his excellent form following his win in the Brabazon Trophy with a two under 70, which featured an eagle, two birdies and two bogeys, leaving him tied for ninth with Ballymena's Dermot McElroy, who had four birdies.
The Island's Gavin Moynihan is tied 35th after a 73, one head of Greystones' Paul Dunne, who posted a 74 having tripled the long fifth and bogeyed the ninth to turn in four over.
West Waterford's Gary Hurley was Ireland's non-counting score with a three over 75.
The Munster man was just one over with seven holes to play but double bogeyed the 12th and triple bogeyed the 14th to find himself six over before rallying with birdies at the next three holes
How the Irish scored. Click to expand.
European Amateur Team Championship, Halmstad Golf Club (Par 72)
Detailed scores - Individual l Team
1 FRANCE-6 F 354
2 DENMARK -6F 354
3 IRELAND-5 F 355
4 GERMANY -4 F 356
5 ITALY Par F 360
6 SPAIN Par F 360
7 ENGLAND +4 F 364
8 WALES +5 F 365
9 SCOTLAND +7 F 367
10 SWEDEN +8 F 368
11 NETHERLANDS +8 F 368
12 BELGIUM +9 F 369
13 FINLAND +9 F 369
14 CZECH REPUBLIC +13 F 373
15 SWITZERLAND +25 F 385
16 POLAND +45 F 405
