Cutler and Dunbar make Walker team

GOLF: WALKER CUP: Irish stars Paul Cutler and Alan Dunbar last night received the news they had been hoping for – that they are in the Walker Cup team to face the Americans at at Royal Aberdeen on September 10th-11th.

Cutler,the 22-year-old West of Ireland and Irish Close champion, was always a favourite for the side. Dunbar from Rathmore won the Irish Amateur Open last year and the Northern Ireland title while he was runner-up in the Brabazon earlier in the season.

This is the first time for Nigel Edwards to captain a Walker Cup side. Tom Lewis, the 20-year-old from Welwyn Garden City who led the British Open with an amateur record 65 last month, is one of five English players selected. Compatriot Stiggy Hodgson is the only survivor from the team beaten 16½– 9½ at Merion two years ago.

Welshman Rhys Pugh is, at 17, by far the youngest member, while Scotland are represented by Michael Stewart and James Byrne. The other English players are Steven Brown, Jack Senior and Andy Sullivan.

WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN STROKEPLAY: Leona Maguire faltered disappointingly over the homeward stretch at Royal Ashdown Forest in East Sussex yesterday but still remained very much in contention after the first round.The 16-year-old from Slieve Russell appeared to be on course to buck the trend and be the only player to break the par of 72 on a difficult day for scoring when she coasted to the turn in two under par 34 which comprised seven pars and two birdies.

But she encountered some problems on the inward half for a score of 41 and a round of three over par 75. This means she goes into the second round this morning three strokes adrift of joint leaders Alyson McKechin and Rachael Taylor, both from Scotland. Leona’s twin sister Lisa shot 78.

IRISH BOYS' AMATEUR: Defending champion Dermot McElroy (Ballymena) opened his account at Ardee Golf Club with a fine four-under-par 67 to lead by one shot after the first round.

McElroy carded six birdies offset by a doube bogey seven at the long 14th. Castle’s Peter McKeever hit top form to card a three-under 68, and is McElroy’s nearest challenger with The Island’s Niall Worth (69) and Greystones’ David Byrne (69).