Sean Keeling was narrowly beaten in a thrilling French Boys Championship final going down 2&1 to Germany’s Carl Siemens in the 36-hole decider at Golf Aisses.
The Roganstown golfer was four down after the first 18 holes after Siemans played some simply irresistible golf on the back nine.
The German raced into a four-hole advantage with an eagle at the par-5 12th and two birdies in his last four holes to open up a handsome halfway lead.
Keeling briefly narrowed the gap to three holes with a birdie on the 19th but found himself five down after a brace of bogeys on the 22nd and 23rd.
Things got worse for the teenager who conceded the 24th to fall six-down with seemingly no way back.
However after being blown away by Siemens on the back nine, Keeling decided to dish out some revenge and hit him with both barrels in one of the great if unfulfilled comebacks.
A birdie on the 27th gave Keeling a glimmer of hope heading into the final nine holes. Siemens conceded the 29th as the gap was reduced to four before Keeling went on a charge.
Three birdies in four holes reduced the deficit to two down with three to play before both players halved the 34th in birdies to make it dormie 2 in the favour of Siemens.
The 35th was halved in par threes as Siemens held on for a victory that proved to be far from easy.
Keeling can be proud of his efforts but he simply left himself too much to do despite a gallant fightback.
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