Keeling keeps his cool at Irish Amateur in Seapoint

Roganstown golfer Patrick Keeling

Roganstown golfer Patrick Keeling says there will be further chances to extend his advantage as he goes into the final round of the Flogas Irish Men’s Amateur Open Championship leading by the minimum.

Keeling’s third round of 73 sees him lie on nine-under par, one shot ahead of Darragh Flynn (Carton House) and Thomas Abom (Edmondstown) in Seapoint.

Keeling opened with a 72 on Thursday and his blistering round of 62 yesterday (FRI) set a new course record. And while the difficult conditions on Saturday would never allow for a repeat of that low shooting, he battled hard to register four birdies on the back nine and retain the momentum.

“Definitely a test, I haven't had conditions like that in a while, that cold north wind, my kneecaps are shaking here even now,” said Keeling.

“Another slowish start and just had to be patient, had to keep telling myself there were certain birdie chances I had to take advantage of, thankfully did coming home, made a couple.

“Still had a couple mistakes on the back (nine) but that’s always going to happen. In wind like this, if you are just the slightest bit off, it’s going to expose you.

“Tomorrow, I’m just going to take whatever comes in front of me and get into my process again. Just have fun like I have been.

“Stay patient, there’s going to be mistakes out there but there’s also birdie chances, so I’ll be looking to take advantage of those too.” The cut fell at three-over with Keeling’s brother Sean, one of those to creep through on two-over par. Fellow Roganstown youngster, and West of Ireland champion, Mark Cadden also advanced on the wrong side of par.

There are 26 players under par with Munster Stroke Play Champion Paul Coughlan (Castleknock) on two-under, reigning champion Stuart Grehan (Co Louth) is two shots better off.

However, Gerard Dunne (Co Louth) and Stephen Coulter (Warrenpoint) could hold an even bigger threat tomorrow, as they begin the day just two shots back of the leader, while Flynn and Abom will tee off in the same group as Keeling.

Keeling had to battle hard to maintain his lead today, with three bogeys in his front nine, he bounced back with a birdie on ten, and despite dropped shots on 12 and 16, he had three more birdies for a nine-under par total.

He was followed in by his family, with his parents and his brother Sean all cheering him up 18 ahead of another huge day for the family, and the Louisville star who is just back in Ireland after a stellar campaign in the States.

“It’s been great. To stay in my own bed as well, that’s worth probably another 30 minutes of sleep,” said Keeling.

“It’s been really nice, having them having them all here, and yeah hopefully we can give them something to cheer about tomorrow.”