Max Kennedy became the latest Irish nearly man of the weekend when he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at the Blot Play 9 in France.
Kennedy was beaten in a playoff by 40-year-old veteran James Morrison after he bogeyed the first extra hole at Golf Bluegreen de Pléneuf Val André.
But that isn’t where the Royal Dublin star lost out on his maiden tour victory on the HotelPlanner Tour. Leading by one going down the 18th, Kennedy made a double bogey and had to regroup for a playoff despite his playing partner Morrison bogeying the last.
The 23-year-old fell foul to a nervy finish. When leading by two shots, he bogeyed the 12th and 16th – Morrison also bogeyed the 16th – as both players finished level pegging on six-under-par after final rounds of 70.
Kennedy had played fabulous golf until the middle of his back nine. The Louisville graduate roared to the turn with three birdies in five holes on the 5th, 6th and 9 to briefly soar three clear.
Back to back birdies from Morrison combined with a birdie from Kennedy on 11 saw the gap trimmed to two before one of the most dramatic finishes in recent HotelPlanner Tour memory unfolded.
Kennedy entered the week in 72nd place on the Road to Mallorca Rankings with the top-20 earning DP World Tour cards after November’s Grand Final.
His runner-up finish was a much needed result and will put him into contention for one of the 20 cards heading into the business end of the season but he will be disappointed to have let slip a great opportunity of a first professional victory.
Kennedy set the course record with a sensational 60 on Thursday and that was equalled by Daniel Young in the final round who finished in third place on five-under-par.
Morrison, a two-time DP World Tour winner, returned to the HotelPlanner Tour this season after losing his playing privileges and his perseverance paid off in style as he added the Blot Play9 title to his victories at the 2015 Open de España and 2010 Madeira Islands Open BPI – Portugal.
“I feel amazing right now and I’m very proud,” he said. “I didn’t play my best today, but I hung in there the best I could. I battled all the way through and hit some good shots at the right time.
“The course is so firm, and the wind was swirling. It’s such a tricky layout and you can’t relax until the very end. Max Kennedy played some great golf and my journey to this point has been very different to his and I know his time will come.”
The Englishman catapults to 19th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings and has put himself in a fantastic position to return to the DP World Tour with the top 20 earning promotion at the end of the season.
“I can’t wait to celebrate tonight, and this win puts me in great stead for the rest of the season,” he said. “The golf hasn’t been the problem, I’ve struggled mentally over the last few years, and it’s been so hard for me and my family. I’m so proud of myself to get back to where I am today.”
Mark Power closed with a 69 to share 38th place on seven-over.
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