Benjamin M. Monroe Blog: Disciplined Dawson eases six clear at Royal County Down

Robin Dawson (Tramore) pitching to the 16th green during day three of the Flogas Irish Amateur Open Championship at Royal County Down Golf Club. Picture by Pat Cashman

Tramore's Robin Dawson vowed to stick to his game plan and remain disciplined after he fired a two-under 69 to take a commanding six-stroke lead into the final round of the Flogas Irish Amateur Open at Royal County Down.

Two ahead of England's Alex Fitzpatrick at halfway, the 22-year-old international rapped in four birdies in another impressive performance with three of them coming in his last six holes.

"It's been discipline and a lot of patience," said Dawson, who heads the field on eight-under-par 205 from 19-year old Sheffield native Fitzpatrick, younger brother of Ryder Cup player Matt, who shot a 73.

A testing southeast breeze, coupled with firm and fast conditions and greens stomping close to 12 sent scores soaring with holder Peter O’Kholder struggling to an 83 to miss the 12-over cut by four strokes.

The leaders got the best of it, especially late in the day with Dawson making up for almost all his striking errors with tidy play around the greens, excellent course management and some deadly long-range putting.

"I thought I did everything well," said Dawson, who made up for failing to birdie the first by holing an 18 footer at the second.

"It's never going to be perfect but I am pretty pleased with the way I played.

"I missed a few putts but I also made a couple of putts. Being last out, we are not getting the best of the greens either so I am pleased to be in a nice position."

Even though he is six ahead of Fitzpatrick and ten ahead of Castle’s Alex Gleeson, he knows that he cannot afford to let his guard down on Sunday

Asked how he planned to handle such a big lead, he said: "It's just another round of golf tomorrow, that's how I see it.

"I am playing well enough, so we'll see. I will just take it one shot a time. So the plan is to just keep playing well and see where we end up tomorrow.

"It's just putting it in the right places off the tee and on the greens. Approach played is key around here. You can't miss the greens in the wrong spots."

Ten home players made the cut for the top 50 and ties, which fell at 12-over 225.

Gleeson - his round undone by five dropped shots in five holes from the fifth after an excellent start - lies third on two over after a two-over 73 with South of Ireland champion James Sugrue from Mallow the next best of the Irish on six over after a 71.

After following a bogey at the tough fifth with seven pars in a steady 20 mph southwest wind, he took advantage of more benign conditions over the closing holes.

Frustrated not to birdie the par-five 12th, he holed a 20 footer down the hill at the 13th and a 30 footer after a six-iron ran to the back of the par-three 14th before following a bogey at the 15th, where he missed from five feet after a poor approach by holing another 20 footer for birdie at the 16th.