Royal Dublin amateur Max Kennedy admits he loved the 2023 LIV Golf season and has become a fan of the concept since its inception in 2022.
Kennedy will be bidding to get inside the ropes next year rather than watching from afar when he tees it up in LIV Golf Promotions this week as he eyes one of three spots available in the 2024 LIV Golf League. He is one of two Irish amateurs in the field as he links up with Rosapenna’s Ryan Griffin at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
“Yeah, so obviously it’s a very new concept, and it’s a very different concept to what golfers are used to,” explained Kennedy. “But I loved it overall. I think there’s questionable points, but in general I’m a fan, and I’m a fan in inclusivity with the game, and I loved it.”
Kennedy is exempt into round one of the qualifying event which begins on Friday having played in the Arnold Palmer Cup. He must finish in the top-20 to progress into round two before the scores are reset. The cut falls after the second round with the scores reset again before a 36-hole shootout on Sunday where just three players will earn promotion to LIV Golf 2024.
The Louisville student will be rubbing shoulders with established tour pros including former US PGA champion Jason Dufner in the $1.5 million field.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got to play good golf, and that’s what I’m here to do is play good golf and see where that takes me.”
Kennedy was seriously impressive this year on both an individual level and team level for Louisville picking up seven top-10s in twelve events including a maiden collegiate victory at the Aggie Invitational so he is no stranger to the LIV format.
“Yeah, the team golf aspect of it is quite unique. It hasn’t been done before in the pro leagues, so it’s definitely unique. It’s not something that I’m not used to. We play team golf in America, so I’m definitely used to it. But it’s interesting, and I kind of like it.
“I’m someone who likes to travel. I love seeing different places, and I love visiting new places and seeing the culture and all that sort of thing. Yeah, that would be something that I’d be very interested in doing.”
While this is Maynooth University student Griffin’s first outing in a professional event, Kennedy has experience from the ISPS HANDA World Invitational this year to fall back on and he knows he needs to have all facets of his game on song if he is to shock the pros and scoop a $200,000 payday.
“I played 18 yesterday, and I played 14 holes today, and this course is amazing. It’s beautiful. The conditions are really pure, and it demands very good golf. You’ve got to play well. All parts of your game have got to be in good shape this week.”
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