Super 65 earns Phelan US Open spot

IT is the stuff of sporting fairytale. Yesterday Waterford teenager Kevin Phelan secured a place alongside the world’s greatest golfers by qualifying for next week’s US Open in spectacular fashion.

Born in New York, where his father played professional squash, Phelan moved to Ireland with his family aged three. They returned to the US earlier this decade where Phelan has developed into a teenage golf phenomenon.

Now 19, the University of North Florida freshman, came through a tough qualifying campaign which culminated with an incredible finish at McArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound. He shot a 65 for his second round to tie Tour professional Gary Woodland for first place in a sectional qualifier in the early hours of Tuesday morning Irish time. Both players posted six-under 138 over two rounds with Phelan rebounding from a first round 73 – eagling the final hole by sensationally holing out from the sand from well off the green. Had Phelan shot a par on the final hole, he would have been the first alternate.