Kearney five shots off the pace at St Andrews

ROYAL DUBLIN’S Niall Kearney scrambled his way to a one over par 72 on the opening day of the St. Andrews Links Trophy.

Last month’s Brabazon winner recorded three birdies but also four bogeys in sunny and calm conditions on the New Course and finished five shots behind the leader, Ross Kellett from Scotland.

“That was not a bad round and quite satisfactory,” said Kearney.

“I had three birdies and also missed a short one for birdie on 16. The course is hard and bouncy but my game is in decent shape and it’s just a case of holing the putts and shooting a score. “The good aspect of my game is that I am scrambling well, although my long game is about 50-50.”

The 21-year old Kearney could have been teeing up in today’s Irish Amateur Close Championship at Enniscrone but, after becoming only the second Irishman to win the Brabazon, he instead is competing at the Home of Golf. It’s Kearney’s first visit to St. Andrews and he is hopeful a good result in an event second only in prestige to the British Amateur which will lead to eventual Walker Cup selection later this year.

“I could have played in the Irish Close but I want to make the Walker Cup in September so that’s why I decided to play here”, he said.

The Raheny player captured the Brabazon on the same afternoon as his good friend Shane Lowry captured the Irish Open.

Meanwhile, West Waterford’s Seamus Power finished with a three over par round of 74. Power shot two birdies and five bogeys — with three of the bogeys coming the final four holes.