Graeme McDowell has urged Paul Dunne to turn professional soon.

The Irish amateur shared the lead at The Open going into the final round, and eventually finished tied for 30th after a final round score of 78. He had previously become the first amateur to shoot sub-70 scores in the first three rounds at the Open.

"It's a tough call. I'd be saying to him to go ahead and take the leap," McDowell told the Daily Mail.

"He'd have an opportunity between now and the end of the season to possibly get his European Tour card, and those extra weeks he'd get by turning pro now could be beneficial to him.

"There is a readiness there now that wasn't there I was turning pro. These kids are all exposed now, they come out ready to win big tournaments."

American Jordan Niebrugge eventually won the silver medal for best amateur at The Open.