In the fading light with the colossal scoreboard next to the 18th providing a gentle glow, 17-year-old Seán Keeling exhibited his own brilliance at the Amgen Irish Open. Playing for the first time in the competition, the Dublin lad finally had his trusty putter working for him, sinking a 15-yard birdie putt on his way to a first-round score of one-under 70.
The spectators – comprised of actual family, friends, fellow members of the Roganstown Golf Club – who tracked his entire game responded with a vigorous applause. It was a fitting appreciation for the incoming Texas Tech student who demonstrated a remarkable level of maturity and patience that superseded his tender years.
Out of all the players in the initial round, just Keeling and Italy’s Felippo Celi achieved a flawless round without any bogeys. Despite a rocky start where he had to opt for a penalty drop due to an impasse on the par-5 first hole, Keeling showed remarkable composure, matching Nick Faldo’s trademark consistency in producing 17 consecutive pars. He rounded off the day by potting a brilliant birdie under fast-fading light on the final green.
Notwithstanding his youthful age, Keeling’s performance bore hallmarks of an experienced international amateur representing Ireland. The decision to forgo his final Leaving Certificate year at Belvedere College and head to Texas Tech, the alma mater of Ludvig Aberg the Ryder Cup star, seemed to be paying off dividends. His flawless navigation around the well-regarded links and his superior shot-making abilities, honed during his stint at the Junior Ryder Cup in Rome, found full expression here.
With his cousin, Pádraig Ó Dochartaigh as his caddy, Keeling showcased his focus and skill, equally adept as his idol Rory McIlroy in staying under par in the opening round – and making it a successful day for Irish golf.
Keeling kicked off the week with a training round joined by Pádraig Harrington, amateur player Max Kennedy as well as Conor Purcell, a Challenge Tour player, who each started with 72s. Did Harrington offer any pearls of wisdom? “Absolutely. His counsel emphasised patience and resilience, recognising that there would be a rollercoaster of highs and lows and the important aspect is the recovery from set-backs. He further suggested that ‘consistency is over-hyped’, declaring it is more beneficial to win than scraping to make cuts or settling for top-10 finishes since victories are what become memorable.”
Having youth on his side, Keeling has this assurance combined with wisdom from personal victories – as Irish Boys’ champion, Scottish Boys’ Open victor, and club successes with Roganstown in the Senior Cup and Fred Daly Cup – to understand and utilise this Irish Open opportunity, which was awarded by performing well at leading amateur championships over the summer.
Permission was needed from Texas Tech for his return to Ireland to partake in the Irish Open, but Keeling viewed this decision as a no-brainer, relishing the opportunity to compete with childhood idol McIlroy and other Irish players he previously looked up to.
Keeling aspires “to be the best version of myself daily and see where that leads,” he shared, with a goal “to make the cut, prospectively have a successful run over the weekend and who knows, I might just provide myself with a winning opportunity.”
Despite being merely two when an amateur named Shane Lowry clinched victory in Baltray in 2009, Keeling wasn’t present. However, he asserted: “I know what transpired. Anything is feasible. I have to have faith in myself.”