KERRY'S Sean Quinlivan stormed out of the pack over the long Dunluce course yesterday to head the leaderboard after the 36-hole qualifying rounds in the Carlsberg North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship.
Quinlivan carded a stunning five-under-par 67 to add to his one-under 69 from the Valley course to snatch the leading qualifier's medal on 136 (six- under) as he heads the 64 hopefuls into the first round of matchplay this morning.
The lanky six-footer's aim was to produce the fireworks in the strokeplay rounds. "I wanted to card two good rounds of strokeplay, as I am going to the tour school next October. It wasn't a case of just qualifying - I wanted to show what I can do in strokeplay.
"Matchplay is a different ball game, as anything can happen. You could shoot anything and win a hole. My focus was on the strokeplay qualifying," he stressed.
The former Irish Boys' and Youths' international, who won the East of Ireland Championship earlier this year, trimmed the four long holes to four strokes each, and he added three more birdies during his impressive performance. He pitched to five feet at the long second, and reached the ninth, 10th and 17th greens in two each time. Birdie threes arrived at the fifth, where he got down from 12 feet, and the 15th from 15 feet. At the short 11th, Quinlivan rifled a six-iron to 20 feet and rolled in the tramliner.
Biting at the leader's heals are a trio of sharpshooters on 137. Rory Leonard, who helped Ireland Youths defeat Scotland last week at Galway, produced a 68 on Dunluce, while dark horse Randal Evans, from Moyola Park, posted a 69. Joining them in joint second spot was Dundalk's Danny Coyle who went round the big course in two-under-par 70.
Leonard's 68 consisted of seven birdies and three bogeys, while Evans had half-a-dozen birdies spread over his card. He also made three bogeys. American-based Coyle had just two blots on his card which was highlighted by five birdies.
Lurking in the shadows and poised to pounce is defending champion Mick McGinley. The Grange member was one over (73) on Dunluce, but qualified on 141, while five-time champion Garth McGimpsey is in a group on 142 and handy placed for a charge through the matchplay stages.
