Paul Dunne targets maiden European Tour win in Australian PGA

Paul Dunne is hoping his first visit to Australia can deliver a debut European Tour win at this week's Australian PGA Championship.

The Irishman embarks on his maiden season among the paid ranks following a stunning 2015 during which he led The Open after three rounds, helped Great Britain & Ireland win the Walker Cup and secured his playing card after 14 rounds at the Qualifying School.

The 23-year-old brings the curtain down on the year at the RACV Royal Pines Resort on Australia's stunning Gold Coast in what he admits will be a 'difficult transition' following his heroics in the amateur game.

A strong field awaits the Dubliner this weekend, including American Ryder Cup star Brandt Snedeker and Sweden's David Lingmerth, who is now an affiliate member of the European Tour as he targets a place in Europe's Ryder Cup side next September.

The home challenge is spearheaded by PGA Tour stars John Senden and Robert Allenby, while Greg Chalmers will seek to successfully defend his title.

"I'd love to give myself a chance to win this week," Dunne told the European Tour's official website. "I feel like every week I've played since I turned pro has been quite pressure filled and I've had to play well every week and then once I got my card at the Q School I sort of relaxed too much and ended up missing the cut last week.

"The mental pressure was lifted a little bit and I think that hurt my performance in a way, so I'm going try to find a way to put some pressure back on myself this week and see if I can play well and have a chance come the weekend.

"I really don't like taking weekends off, so last week was a bit frustrating for me, so hopefully I can play better this week.
This is my first time in Australia. I've heard great things about it, so really wanted to come down and experience it. It looks like it's going to play quite windy this week.

"The greens are quite small, there's lots of run-off areas and they are quite firm as well. So I think kind of pinpoint accuracy with your short irons is going to be key this week.

Australian PGA Championship Golf

"The transition from amateur to pro has been difficult and easy at the same time. It's a different environment but it's the same game you're playing. I was quite busy with amateur golf when I was turning pro, so it was kind of a seamless transition really.

"I didn't see it as any different, it was just playing golf again like any other weekend. It's been quite busy since I've turned pro and I've played a lot of events but I haven't found it too bad. I suppose I haven't had much of a break to kind of reflect. This will be my last one of the season and then have a nice break for Christmas."