Golf

Campbell shares lead after positive start in Dublin

Warrenpoint's Colm Campbell in action in the first round of the Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal Dublin
Warrenpoint's Colm Campbell in action in the first round of the Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal Dublin Warrenpoint's Colm Campbell in action in the first round of the Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal Dublin

WARRENPOINT'S Colm Campbell believes he's on his way back to top form after grabbing a share of the first round lead in the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin.

The reigning East of Ireland champion gave up his day job to dedicate himself to the game full time this year, and he was pleased to come back from an erratic start and make five birdies in a three under 69 for a nine-way share of the lead.

"I played nicely and hit the ball pretty solidly, which is the main thing," said Campbell, who is keen to retain his place in the Irish team for the Home Internationals at Royal Portrush later this year before contemplating a trip to the European Tour Qualifying School.

"I like this course and had a chance to win here a few years ago, but I finished a couple of shots out of the play-off with Robbie Cannon and Gavin Moynihan. I dropped two shots in the first four by starting bogey-birdie-birdie-bogey and they played last 14 in three under, so I'm pleased. It's been a frustrating start to season, but today was much better."

Campbell is tied for top spot with Walker Cup player Gavin Moynihan, 16-year-old county Louth teenager Thomas Mulligan, Knock's Colin Fairweather, Naas' Jack Hume and four overseas players in Scot Alexander Culverwell, Welsh pair Evan Griffiths and Richard James and South Africa's Luke Trocado.

"It's the best I've played in a while," said Moynihan, who won the title in 2012 and only lost in a play-off to Cannon in 2013.

"I've been struggling, but it's not that I have been hitting it that badly, I have just been scoring horrendously - hitting two or three really bad shots a round into big trouble."

Moynihan made a fine Walker Cup debut alongside Kevin Phelan in 2013, but after a failed sojourn at the University of Alabama - he returned home last Christmas after little more than a year away, citing home-sickness - he struggled to hit top form until Thursday.

Even then, it looked as though another good round was about to slip away in benign early conditions as he followed birdies at the second and third with bogeys at the ninth and 10th. An eagle three at the 14th totally changed his round and he picked up another shot at the 16th en route to a 69 and a share of the lead.

"It's definitely the best shot of the year so far," Moynihan said of the towering 268-yard cut three wood to four feet that set up his eagle.

"I tend to do decently enough round here, so hopefully I can keep it going. It's nice to be back."

West of Ireland champion Dermot McElroy from Ballymena and Irish Close winner John Ross Galbraith from Whitehead were pleased with excellent two under 70s, while Ardgalss' Cormac Sharvin made a superb comeback in the tougher, late afternoon conditions to post a level par 72.

The 22-year-old international, who tied for second in the Lytham Trophy last week, was three over par with six holes to play before birdies at the 13th, 14th and 16th, followed by two excellent closing pars, got him back to parity.