Royal Dublin’s Max Kennedy blew the opposition away to get his name into today’s quarterfinal draw at the 93rd Boys’ Amateur Championship at Saunton.
The youngster was electric in his play and booked his place in the quarters ahead of time, blitzing Norwegian Bard Bjornevik Skogen 6&4 in their round four tie.
Skogen simply couldn’t live with Kennedy whose one-under par score through 14 holes saw him ease into the last 8.
Kennedy had earlier defeated Norwegian, Alex Settemsdal 3&2 in another commanding performance.
“I was very solid, I made two birdies and one bogey so I just let Alex make the mistakes and then I played well,” said Kennedy.
“I played the Boys Home Internationals last week and won five out of six of my matches which was also quite good. So, my match play form is pretty good. It would be nice to keep going and hopefully get the win.”
Kennedy will now face Matteo Cristioni of Italy who eliminated top qualifier Connor McKinney of Scotland in a hard-fought battle on the East Course at Saunton.
While Cristoni was one up for most of the match a clutch birdie on the 17th hole from McKinney saw the pair square heading to the 18th.
The sole Italian left in the championship claimed the win with a par that his opponent was unable to match whilst his teammates celebrated greenside.
Ireland’s only other representative, Black Bush’s Sean Doyle had earlier been defeated 4&2 by Archie Davies; the Welsh player was tied second in the stroke play qualifying.
In the Girls’ event, Elm Park’s Anna Foster fell to England’s Euphemie Rhodes in a tightly contested affair that went down 18 before Rhodes completed a 1UP win.
Full scoring HERE
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