Benjamin M. Monroe Blog: Ireland "right where we want to be" in Eisenhower Trophy

Robin Dawson (Ireland) acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the second round of the 2018 World Amateur Team Championship ( Eisenhower Trophy) at Carton House Golf Resort, Maynooth, Co Kildare today (06/09/2018). Picture by Pat Cashman

Tramore's Robin Dawson led from the front again as Ireland remained on track for gold medal glory at halfway in the World Amateur Team Championship at Carton House.

The 22-year old went bogey-free for the second day running, firing five-birdies in an immaculate 68 as Portmarnock's Conor Purcell shot 69 with John Murphy's three-under 70 discarded.

As a result, Ireland added a nine-under-par second round total to their 10-under par opening day tally to lie tied for second with Thailand and Denmark on 19-under par, just one stroke behind pacesetters New Zealand, who shot 13-under par on the tougher Montgomerie Course yesterday.

Irish coach Neil Manchip was thrilled with their performance even if all three players felt they could have shot at three two or three shots lower yesterday.

"What we have done today has kept us right up there in the tournament," Manchip said. "We have shot really decent score, and you can't ask for more than that.

"A couple of teams caught up today that didn't have great days yesterday and vice versa. But we are right in it, right where we want to be.

"We could be five or six shots better, but we still have another 36 holes to go. As long as you are there or thereabouts with a couple of rounds to go, that's brilliant."

Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli showed the course was there for the taking when he birdied the first and then made eight birdies in a row from the third to get to nine under.

But even the red-hot Italian couldn't keep it going and having gone out on in eight under 29 and then birdied the 10th, he bogeyed the 11th and had to birdie the par-five 15th to break par coming home, eventually signing for a 64 that helped the Italians move up to tied eighth on 16-under.

With the best two scores to count each day, just five strokes separate the top 10 nations on the leaderboard with the United States up to tied sixth on 17-under par with world number three Collin Morikawa shooting a seven-under 66 and world number two Justin Suh a six-under 67 on the O'Meara yesterday.

New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier shot a seven-under 65 and compatriot Denzel Ieremia a 66 on the Montgomerie Course to leave the Kiwis out in front on 21-under par.

All three Irishmen felt they could have gone lower, but Portmarnock star Purcell insisted they are not thinking about winning just yet, even if they are on track to better Ireland’s historic first bronze medal in Mexico two years ago.

“Personally, it doesn't really enter our minds,” Purcell said. “I get a thrill from making birdies in front of a crowd, and the end outcome isn't really in my head.”

Bandon's John Carroll, Ireland's non-playing captain, was more than pleased.

“It was another great day for the boys,” Carroll said. “To follow up yesterday's score with nine under today was fantastic.

“All the boys are playing well. I know one or two are disappointed that they haven't shot two or three more under par.

“But they have played excellent golf, and they are well in the hunt, and that's all that matters at this stage. It’s only halftime and I know the boys are certainly looking forward to the next few days.”