“Yeah, it wasn’t bad at all”: Max Kennedy on a fast finish to make the cut

Mark McGowan at Killeen Castle

Some rounds of level-par are better than others, and when Max Kennedy was +3 for the day standing on his 15th tee box at the Irish Challenge, his round of level-par was better than most.

Not that he was fully aware of it, but after a one-over 73 on day one, he needed to shoot level-par on day two to make it through to the weekend and he did exactly that, birdieing the sixth, eighth and ninth holes to make the cut on the number.

“Yeah, it wasn’t bad at all,” he said with a wide smile. “I didn’t have my best stuff out there on some holes and some stretches, but I stuck in there and hit a couple of great shots coming in and was able to convert for birdies.

“I don’t really look at scores or leaderboards, but when I got a big cheer with the birdie at the last, I had a fair idea that I had a good chance of making the cut.”

As one of the later starters on day two, Kennedy didn’t have too long to wait for confirmation that he would indeed have weekend tee times, and he’s looking forward to another strong showing of support from friends, family and Royal Dublin club members. And even though he just made the cut on the number, he’s only eight shots back and by no means out of the running for the overall victory, let alone the Christy O’Connor Jnr Memorial Trophy and accompanying Amgen Irish Open invite for the leading Irishman.

“Yeah, it’s great to be around over the weekend and to get some home support out there will be pretty nice again,” he said. “You know, it’s not easy at all out there in the afternoon and it was the same finishing off yesterday.

“No one’s going to run away with it this week. No one’s going to get too far past 10-under as you can see there, the scores are not that low and the golf course is playing tough. So if I can get out tomorrow and shoot 67 or better, that definitely gives me a chance going into into Sunday.”

If you wish to come and support Max or any of the other players who have made it through to the weekend, you can avail of free tickets by clicking here.