Dylan Keating will take a two-shot lead into the final day of the North of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship after taming testing wind conditions at Royal Portrush.
The Seapoint golfer began his championship with a one-under-par 71 on the Valley Links, carding two birdies and an eagle to sit tied fifth overnight.
Round Two presented a different challenge however, with competitors facing a stiff northerly wind on the Dunluce Links that made low scoring difficult throughout the day.
The top of the overnight leaderboard was quickly shuffled early on as Mark Cadden (Roganstown), Matthew McClean (Malone) and Cian Harkin (The Island) all slipped back in the challenging conditions.
Keating though, appeared to relish the test. An opening birdie set the tone before he would go on to card four more on 5, 11, 12 and 18 with his only dropped shots coming on 15 and 16.
“I played really well, hit it in the right spots off the tee. I drove it unbelievably and that was what put me in place,” said Keating.
“The putting was so hard with the wind so I just gave myself as many chances as I could and then birdie on the last to shoot 69. It felt very nice today, considering how tough it was.
“It was really just missing it in the right spots all day. It’s the key around here and not being in any fairway bunkers.”
Keating’s three-under-par 69 was the only under-par round on the day and put the 23-year-old in the driving seat heading into the final 36 holes at four-under-par.
The Seapoint golfer credited his home club for helping craft the shots he needed around the County Antrim links.
“We get a lot of wind at Seapoint,” said Keating.
“So those into the wind shots, little low bullets were needed today and I had them out there, which was nice.”
Robbie Cannon will begin the final day as Keating’s nearest challenger after the Balbriggan golfer battled to a two-over-par 74.
Cannon had held the overnight lead at five-under-par but suffered a difficult finish that included a triple bogey at the infamous Calamity Corner 16th.
Despite the late setback, Cannon remained firmly in contention after carding four birdies on 9, 11, 12 and 14 to sit just two back from Keating on two-under-par.
“Chuffed at that. I was three over thru six, but I didn’t put the panic stations on because I knew it was going to be a tough day,” said Cannon.
“I played really well all day. I had a treble on 16, I didn’t hit a bad shot, just hit the wrong club so it was a bit unfortunate but finished with two pars so happy with the day’s work.”
With 36 holes remaining, Keating knows it is only half-time in the championship, but he hopes to carry his momentum into the final day.
“More of the same tomorrow, still a lot of golf left. Only halfway through,” said Keating.
“Keep it going hopefully.”
View North of Ireland Amateur Open Championship scoring here
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