ROYAL County Down has presented a tough challenge to the home players at the Irish Open, as sporadic weather has hindered players.
Dubliner Max Kennedy, who finished second this year in the European Amateur Championships, was the best Irish performer out of the early tee times, finishing one over par and four shots off the lead, set by England’s Will Enfer.
The 22-year-old was two under at one point but a single and double-bogey run at holes four and five pegged him back after that promising double-birdie start.
The Royal Dublin member’s front nine holes lacked consistency with three birdies and three bogeys or worse.
However, Kennedy seemed to level out as he got into his golf, finishing his back nine on par with one bogey and one birdie.
Padraig Harrington, who was apprehensive about the course conditions on Wednesday during the Pro-Am session, finished on two over par in the first round of his 29th consecutive Irish Open.
Simon Thornton also shot two over however it could have been a very different story if it weren’t for double bogeys on the seventh and 15th holes, the former a three-foot double putt.
Seamus Power was the furthest away from the lead out of the home golfers, finishing three over par but appeared to be fighting back at the tail end of his first round.
The front nine featured five bogeys for the Deise man however he started off the back nine considerably better with two birdies out of the first three holes.
Gary Hurley also finished at three over par with a disastrous back nine that saw the Waterford native drop from one under par to three over.
England’s Will Enefer proves to be the frontrunner of the tournament, posting three under in his first round and proving to be the player to beat.
Early tee-offs
Seamus Power +3
Padraig Harrington +2
Simon Thronton +2
Max Kennedy +1
Gary Hurley +3
