Dunne and Kitt lead the East of Ireland Championship, while Maguire fights for a US Open cut.

In a thrilling showdown at the East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship, Gerard Dunne and David Kitt have emerged as co-leaders after a gripping second round at Baltray. Dunne, a local favorite, electrified the crowd with a bogey-free, eight-under-par 64 in his opening round, a performance that set the tone for his tournament. However, the pressure mounted in the second round as he faced a tougher course, finishing with a three-over-par 75, yet still clinging to the top spot.

Kitt, hailing from Athenry, matched Dunne`s resolve, showcasing his own skill with consistent play. Just one stroke behind them is David Reddan, who delivered rounds of 68 and 72, making him a formidable contender in the final grouping. The competition remains fierce, with Stuart Grehan and Gavin Tiernan lurking two shots back, while defending champion Caolan Rafferty, Eoin Murphy, and Dylan Keating trail by three.

As the tournament unfolds, local support is expected to swell, creating an electric atmosphere for the final round. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Leona Maguire is striving to secure her place in the US Women’s Open, having shot a one-under 71 in Texas. On the international scene, Dermot McElroy is making waves at the Challenge de Cadiz, moving up the leaderboard with a solid third-round 67, while Victor Pastor leads the event with a six-under-par 66.

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