Carton House golfer Darragh Flynn holds a three-shot lead at the halfway point in the F45 Elysian Munster Men’s Amateur Open Championship at Cork Golf Club despite a late wobble on Saturday evening.
On his first appearance in this competition in three years a sensational back nine, which included six birdies, saw Flynn take the clubhouse lead after the first round. He finished his opening 18 holes just one ahead of local Peter O’Keeffe (Douglas) who registered a 67 earlier in the day.
Flynn continued his fine form in the afternoon and despite a double bogey on 15, a late birdie helped him to shoot a second round 70 for an overnight -8, ahead of fellow Carton House golfer and Bridgestone Order of Merit leader, Keith Egan (-5), and O’Keeffe and Brian Doran (Millicent) who both lie on -3.
“I struck it really well especially off the tee and putted really well, that was probably key today, I held a good few mid-range putts which kept me going at a certain stage,” said Flynn.
“It will be a bit of fun, it will be good. It is a new experience so I will enjoy it. I have done a lot of good work over the winter so we will see what happens tomorrow.”
O’Keeffe made the early pace on Saturday morning, an eagle on the second and four other birdies, cancelled out his only bogey on the sixth. The Cork man found the going difficult on the front nine in the second round and a double bogey on the fifth hole was costly.
However, he bounced back with another eagle on the 11th while Egan continued to take the fight to the leader. Egan had begun his day with four straight birdies on his way to an opening 68. He had four birdies in the afternoon again before a double bogey on the 17th put paid to his chances and ultimately, it was left for Flynn to move clear.
The cut fell at +3 with reigning champion Jason Law (East Cork) one of those failing to reach that target, while recent Lee Valley Scratch Cup winner Jack Murphy (Douglas) snuck through to Sunday alongside Palmer Cup golfer Ryan Griffin (Ballybofey), on +3.
In all 33 golfers made it through to Sunday while Flynn will have three shots to spare as he prepares for a tilt at glory with another two rounds of golf remaining.
“It’s lovely to be back, it’s a great course,” said Flynn. “I like to see the ball go left to right so it helps on a few holes like 18 the tee shot, it definitely does help on that. The greens are great, the fairways are pretty good for this time of the year considering the amount of rain we have had.”
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