US Open debutant Phelan proud of his Waterford roots

OFFICIALLY he’s playing in his first major as an American from St Augustine in Florida.

But proud Waterford amateur Kevin Phelan will be announced as a representative of Ireland when he steps up to hit his first tee shot at Pebble Beach on Thursday afternoon.

A resident in Jacksonville and one of the leading players on the golf team at the University of North Florida, dual-citizen Phelan has been living on cloud nine since he holed a flop shot for an eagle three on the final hole at McArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound eight days ago and closed with a 65 to finish joint first in the 36-hole sectional qualifying race for three spots here this week.