Sports Shorts: Dunne wins British Masters

Dunne holds off McIlroy to win British Masters

Ireland’s Paul Dunne won his first European Tour title by edging Rory McIlroy into second place at the British Masters thanks to a nine-under-par 61 in Sunday’s final round.

Dunne reached the turn in five-under but then suffered heavy pressure when McIlroy birdied five of the last seven holes at Close House.

The 24-year-old Dunne did not buckle, though, and holed four birdies of his own on the back nine to win by three shots on 20-under-par.

Dunne said: "It feels great. I feel like I've been up there a few times and never put my foot down to win it. I have come close, so it's nice to put the demon off my back and get my first one."

McIlroy has now finished runner-up twice in 2017 and is facing only the second winless season of his career.

The Northern Irishman said: "It was just nice to have a chance to win a golf tournament. I think that was the big thing and the more chances I have like that, I seem to play better."

Overnight leader Robert Karlsson finished third, four shots back, after managing only a four-under 66 in the final round.

Atwal, Bhullar finish tied-seventh in Taiwan

Arjun Atwal and Gaganjeet Bhullar ended their fourth rounds in contrasting fashion but both ended Tied-7th at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

Atwal (71) closed bogey-bogey while Bhullar (70) had birdies on 16th and 17th, as they finished at three-under 285. Meanwhile, Gavin Green of Malaysia shed his ‘nearly man’ tag by winning his first Asian Tour title at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Sunday, and dedicated the win to his late grandfather.

After finishing runner-up three times this year, Green closed with a one-under-par 71 to pull off a style two-shot victory at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

S Chikkarangappa (73) was Tied-19th at one-over 289, while Shiv Kapur (73) was Tied-23rd at four-over 292. Khalin Joshi (72) and Rashid Khan (73) were Tied-29th at five-over 293.

Bawne, Parthiv help India 'A' extend lead to 149 runs

Middle-order batsman Ankit Bawne's stroke-filled ton, complemented by veteran Parthiv Patel's half-century, comfortably placed India 'A' at 360 for four on the second day of the unofficial 'Test' against New Zealand 'A'.

Bawne (116 batting) and Parthiv (56 batting) added 156 runs for the unbroken fifth wicket stand in only 28 overs as India 'A' extended their lead to 149 runs after New Zealand had scored a paltry 211 in their first essay.

The other significant contributor was Shreyas Iyer, who blasted the bowling en route his 79-ball-82 that had 10 boundaries and two sixes. In fact it was Iyer and Priyank Panchal (46), who added 133 runs for the second wicket to set the platform for a big score.

Maharashtra batsman Bawne played 166 balls hitting 13 boundaries and five huge sixes. Parthiv also showed positive intent during the 78 balls that he played. He hit four boundaries and a six.

Senior team leg-spinner Ish Sodhi was the bowler who was picked out for harsh treatment, giving away 107 runs in 19 overs. Most of the sixes were hit off Sodhi's bowling even though he got two wickets.

The two batsmen, who missed out on big score after getting set were Panchal and skipper Karun Nair (43).

Brief Score:

New Zealand 'A' 1st Innings 211 India 'A' 1st Innings 360/4 (Ankit Bawne 116 batting, Shreyas Iyer 82, Parthiv Patel 56 batting).