A four hour weather delay due to a flooded golf course at Fancourt Links proved a blessing in disguise for Max Kennedy who played his opening round of the NTT Data Pro-Am in the better conditions and took full advantage with a 67.
Kennedy lies in a share of fifth place on six-under, three shots off the early lead and he managed to get his round finished before the hooter suspended play for darkness so he can look forward to a lie in before his Friday tee time on the Montagu Course.
“It worked out to my advantage to be honest because the rain had been in the morning so we ended up getting a really nice part of the day. The greens were soft and the links is usually quite a firm golf course so I would imagine it will firm up over the next few days,” explained The Royal Dublin professional who was set for a 8.40 am tee time in some dour conditions but was pushed back to 1.10 at which stage the sun was shining.
The first three tournaments of the new HotelPlanner Tour season have made for pleasant viewing for Irish golf fans with Galway’s Liam Nolan registering two top-4 finishes in three starts as he took advantage of Golf Ireland invites.
The going hasn’t been quite as good early on for Kennedy, who earned a full card at Q-School in November.
The 23-year-old had missed three cuts before this week but felt he was close to producing some good scores and an upturn in fortunes on the greens was key.
Kennedy made a hot start with three birdies in his first five holes before a birdie, bogey, birdie run saw him turn in 34 strokes. But, as he tried to beat the sunset, Kennedy produced some brilliant golf with birdies on the 11th, 13th, 15th and 16th to move to within three of Jacques Blaauw.
“We got it nice and soft which made for lots of birdie opportunities. I hit it really well I was aggressive off the tee, hitting drivers into tight spots and hit my long irons quite well, gave myself plenty of chances and made those ten to fifteen footers that I hadn’t really been making the last couple of weeks.”
It’s been a rude awakening to professional golf for Kennedy so far but the Dubliner, who is never short of confidence, believes rounds like today shows he can rise to the challenge.
“It was a nice round of golf but I got to keep moving. The standard is definitely higher than amateur golf and out here you can’t sit back you got to keep the foot down and keep moving so that’s the aim. Looking forward to it, the game is there and I feel confident.”
Meanwhile, Jonathan Caldwell carded a one-under 71 on the Montagu course with Dermot McElroy on the same score through nine holes of his first round.
Scoring HERE
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