Wire to Wire for Maria Dunne at Co. Louth
Maria Dunne (Skerries) led wire to wire to claim the 2017 Irish Women’s Open Stroke Play Championship. With a record opening 66 (-9) on Friday, Dunne took a one shot lead from playing partner Gemma Clews of England into the second round. The wind got up on Saturday and Baltray showed its teeth, both leaders struggled compared to their first rounds, carding 76 and 75 respectively. They headed into the final day all square on 8 under par but by the par 5 6th Clews had opened up a 2 shot lead. The 11th was a turning point however; Clews 3 putted for par while Dunne held a 10 foot put to get up and down for birdie. From then on Clews struggled on the greens and fell two shots behind Dunne alongside Lianna Bailey (England) by the 15th.
