Irish six-year-old makes a pitch for world golf title
The six-year-old, who can drive a golf ball more than 150 yards, will begin his second round at the famous Pinehurst golf course later this morning, hoping to shoot his way up the leaderboard in the Boys Under-Six category.
With his proud father and coach, Denis, at his side caddying for him, Zak had an early tee-off at 7.22am.
The pint-sized putting sensation from Ballincollig in Co Cork, who is due to go into senior infants at Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin in September, currently lies in a tie for 36th place out of 55 players in his category after shooting a round of 43.
The leading round so far, a 31, was scored by a player from Illinois.
The under-six competition is being held at the Midland Country Club close to the main course. It is described by organisers as a friendly and challenging 9-hole golf course which covers 1,300 yards. In all, players complete three rounds in the championship.
The Cork player is competing against children from as far afield as New Zealand, the Philippines and of course the USA and is one of only a handful of Europeans in the field.
The US Kids Golf World Championship is the most prestigious golf event in the world for players aged 12 and under, attracting over 1,200 participants from 30 countries around the world.
The players taking part are treading on hallowed ground. Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina hosted the 1999 and 2005 US Open Championships.
Zak has been playing golf since he could walk, having received a set of plastic golf clubs aged two, and his first real set aged two-and-a-half. He is now on his third set of real clubs.
He secured his place in the tournament by winning the Irish Wee Wonders Golf Competition in Cavan last year, before going on to come 10th overall in the European finals at St Andrew’s.
In that event he finished top in his age group.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
