Records fall on Dunluce and the Valley

Randal Evans fired a sizzling 64 over the Dunluce course yesterday to crack the course record by one stroke set by Padraig Harrington some years ago.

But Evans wasn't the only player to rip up the record books at Royal Portrush yesterday during the second day of qualifying in the North of Ireland Championship.

Teenager William Telford raced around the par 70 Valley links also in 64 shots to better the record by one stroke, as well.

It was a fabulous comeback by Evans (29), the manager of the professional's shop at Moyola Park Golf Club, after an accident put him out of the game since May.

"I was hoping this was going to be my big year but a serious car accident outside Dundalk when I was on my way to the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin put me out of golf until now," said Randal.

"A car crashed into the side of my car and two people were killed but, thankfully, I wasn't too serious. I had back and leg bruising and I was in hospital for a few days.

"This is my first time back in action and it was wonderful to play so well. I could have had a even better round as my birdie putts lipped out at another few holes.

"My aim at the start of the season was to make the Ulster senior side and, hopefully, this will help."

Evans rattled off five birdies on his way to the turn and then pencilled in eagle three at the 10th hole where he chipped in from just off the green. He polished off his wonderful show with his seventh birdie from 15 feet at the 17th. Not a blemish was on his card.

Defending champion Stuart Paul eased into this morning's first round matchplay draw on 144, while Garth McGimpsey, despite an uncharacteristic 81 on Dunluce, qualified on 149 as the cut was made on 153.

Also safely inside the mark were Stackstown members, brothers Michael (147) and John (150) McDermott, plus Mark Campbell (150).

Matchplay Draw

First Round (7.0am & 7 minute intervals)

7.00 - M McDermott v Reid; Smyth v Coyne; A Wilson v M Wilson; McAuley v McCloy; Moriarty v Murphy; Moore v Telford; Sutton v McLaughlin; Adamson v McGimpsey.

8.00 - McGeady v Hemphill; Doran v Crawford; Davison v Gladstone; McKinstry v Campbell; Leonard v Owens; Cunningham v McCarroll; Moore v O'Donoghue; Maher v Rice.

9.00 - Paul v McCarthy; Dickson v McVey; Kilpatrick v McDonald; Taylor v Cannon; Maybin v Wardlow; Legg v R McDowell; Adair v Kane; Murdock v Foster.

10.00 - O'Sullivan v McCusker; G McDowell v Baker; Spence v Mann; Drummond v Forsythe; Evans v Megarry; Hamill v Ryan; Montgomery v J McDermott; Mulholland v McCormick

Valley Scores First

139 - R Evans (Moyola Pk) 75, 64.

140 - G Maybin (Ballyclare) 72, 68.

142 - A Wilson (Cairndhu) 71, 71; L Ryan (Stackstown) 70, 72; A McCormick (Scrabo) 69, 73.

144 - R Kirkpatrick (Banbridge) 70, 74; B McCarroll (Ballyliffin) 69, 75; S Paul (Tandragee) 70, 74.

145 - G Davison (Colvend) 74, 71; R McDowell (R Belfast) 72, 73; R Leonard (Banbridge) 73, 72; C Moriarty (Clandeboye) 73, 72.

146 - T Spence (Clandeboye) 68, 78; W Telford (Rathmore) 64, 82; J Foster (Ballyclare) 74, 72; M O'Sullivan (Galway) 73, 73; M McGeady (C of Derry) 70, 76.

147 - D Baker (Downpatrick) 73, 74; Gary McDowell (Rathmore) 72, 75; J Sutton (Castletown) 74, 73; A Adair (Fortwilliam) 71, 76; M McDermott (Stackstown) 74, 73; N Crawford (Mourne) 71, 76.

148 - S McVey (Banbridge) 73, 75; C Montgomery (Malone) 72, 76; T Rice (Limerick) 76, 72; ID Moore (Dunmurry) 75, 73.

149 - M Smyth (Ballymena) 76, 73; R Cannon (Balbriggan) 74, 75; D Coyne (Tuam) 77, 72; G McGimpsey (Bangor) 68, 81.

150 - A McCloy (Ballymena) 76, 74; G Dickson (Holywood) 76, 74; J McDermott (Stackstown) 76, 74; P McLaughlin (Ballyliffin) 71, 79; L Moore (C of Derry) 70, 80; M Campbell (Stackstown) 73, 77; C Doran (Banbridge) 73, 77; R Mann (Cairndhu) 69, 81; R Forsythe (Hilton) 74, 76; F O'Donoghue (Belvoir Pk) 74, 76; R Kane (Bangor) 71, 79; 151 - D Gladstone (Stranrear) 77, 74; N Cunningham (Belvoir Pk) 75, 76; G Hamill (Ardglass) 74, 77; M Wilson (C of Derry) 73, 78; G Legg (Dudsbury) 78, 73; P McDonald (Woodbrook) 74, 77.

152 - G McAuley (Dunmurry) 78, 74; J Taylor (Portstewart) 76, 76; L Owens (R Dublin) 76, 76; J Drummond (Ballyclare) 74, 78; D McCusker (Moyola Pk) 70, 82; J Murdock (Lisburn) 69, 83; C McGarry (Larne) 77, 75; J McKinstry (Cairndhu) 75, 77; G Wardlow (Shandon Pk) 74, 78; C Murphy (Clandeboye) 74, 78; S Adamson (R Belfast) 72, 80.

153 - M Hemphill (Portstewart) 80, 73; R Maher (Nenagh) 78, 75; B McCarthy (RSHECC) 78, 75; D Mulholland (Castlerock) 77, 76; S Reid (Knock) 77, 76.

Non-Qualifiers on 153 - K Poole (Tandragee) 76, 77; T Cummins (Lurgan) 75, 78; S Miskelly (Knock) 74, 79; F Rodgers (Ardglass) 71, 82; S Franklin (Athenry) 70, 83; C Clancy (Stackstown) 69, 84.