A barnstorming back-nine run saw Royal Dublin’s Max Kennedy storm to the U-18 title at the 23rd Faldo Series Grand Final at Al Ain Equestrian Shooting & Golf Club in the UAE.
The Irish Boys international was playing catch-up all week after posting an opening four-over par round of 74 but such has been his form this season, you somehow knew he’d make his presence felt in the 54-hole tournament.
A 67 on day two reminded his rivals that he wasn’t giving up but with England’s Aaron Edwards-Hill cutting an imposing figure out in front after successive 68’s, Kennedy knew something special was needed.
He made the turn in one-under on the final day but Edwards-Hill went one shot better. In truth, the Englishman was always out of sight in the overall competition but that didn’t stop Kennedy firing four birdies in five holes from the 10th before adding one more at the last to sign for a 64 and a five-under total, good enough for third place overall and the U-18 prize.
To Edward-Hill’s credit, he was imperious, even bettering the Dubliner’s run from the 10th with five straight birdies. In the end, his 10-under par tally got the job done by two with Dylan Melville in second at minus-eight and Kennedy cutting a lone figure in third, three shots better than fourth place.
As for the other Irish who made the trip, Sean Keeling tied 34th at 10-over par with Leah Temple Lang 42nd on plus-13. David McAleenon was two shots worse off in 46th, Corrina Griffin shared 47th at plus-16, Lucia Masding finished in 55th at plus-24 while Dan Byrne (+26), Shannon Hegarty (+29) and Jude Kane at (+45) rounded off Ireland’s raiders.
Temple Lang’s 76, 72 and 75 three round tally saw the Dubliner take 6th place in the Girls U-21 competition while Griffin’s 77, 77, 72 return took 6th spot in the Girls U-16 tournament.
Full scoring HERE
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