Kearney takes inspiration from Irish pros in steady climb towards Tour
Niall Kearney Photo: Getty Images
Wednesday December 02 2009
Niall Kearney took another huge step towards the European Tour last night in the fourth round of the Qualifying School final at PGA Golf de Catalunya near Girona in Spain.
The 21-year-old Royal Dublin rookie fired a three-under-par 69 over the Stadium course for a seven-under aggregate of 277 and rose 15 places into a tie for 24th behind Englishman Simon Khan, who opened up a three-stroke lead over the field with a 66 for 264.
Five-under with three holes to play after a productive run aided by a four-iron to six feet at 15 which spawned an eagle-three, Kearney spilled two shots at 16 and 18 to take the shine off an otherwise impressive display.
The former GB&I Walker Cup player remained upbeat, however, and admitted the success being enjoyed in the pro game by former amateur sparring partners, such as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, has acted as a great incentive this week.
"Loads of Irish players are coming out of the amateur game and doing well, so that gives you more confidence," said Kearney, after moving into the card-winning top 30. "There is no reason why my game is not good enough to be out there with them. I'm not surprising myself with the way I'm playing here.
relaxed
"I was confident and relaxed all the way through the second stage and I'm still confident. I got it to five-under today with the eagle, but there were a lot of tough pins out there and 69 is not the worst score in the world."
As Kearney lifted himself up the rankings, Kilkenny's Gary Murphy, who lost his place on Tour at the end of the 2009 campaign, slipped further down the order with a damaging two-over which left him in a tie for 49th on a four-under 280.
Murphy was joined on that mark by Newcastle's former Irish Club Professional Championship winner Simon Thornton who birdied two of his last three holes in a battling 69.
While Kearney, Murphy and Thornton all progressed to the closing 36-holes there was late anguish for Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell as he missed the cut after a calamitous end to his round.
The 25-year-old teed-up on the 18th hole of the Tour course needing a par-five to edge through, but he put his drive out of bounds, took five to reach the green and three-putted for a disastrous triple-bogey eight. He signed for a two-over 72 and missed the qualifying mark by three shots on a 284.
Glasson's Colm Moriarty (286) and Dubliner John Kelly (290) also exited early on a day of fluctuating fortunes for the Irish contingent.
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Irish Independent
