Irish quartet shines as International team leads USA after day one at Arnold Palmer Cup

Douglas’ Sara Byrne (23) and Royal Dublin’s Max Kennedy (22) were an estimated nine-under par as they thrashed Jackson Klutznick and Farah O’Keefe 5&4 at the Co Clare links before Maynooth University’s Kate Lanigan and Ryan Griffin held off world number five Zoe Campos and seventh-ranked David Ford to win 2 up and give the hosts a one-point overnight lead.

“We started off really good and never really let the guard down,” said Kennedy, who is playing in his second Palmer Cup.

“We were probably 10-under combined, which will win a lot of golf matches, especially out here when it’s windy.”

The Irish duo were four-up after seven holes as they mixed birdies at the second, fifth and eighth with eagles at the fourth and seventh.

“It’s obviously the pinnacle of amateur collegiate golf out here — the best 12 men and women from college golf over the year. So if you can go out here and get a couple of points on the board, you’re doing pretty well,” added Kennedy.

Byrne, who looks certain to make the Curtis Cup team automatically via the World Amateur Golf Rankings, insisted she was in Lahinch to have fun and honour the legacy of Arnold Palmer.

“I was so excited to play,” said the Douglas star, who will turn professional later this year. “That’s what’s been ingrained in us for the week, ‘No fear – just be excited for it’ and that’s what we did.

“Me and Max just went out there and we had an absolute blast out there. We had so much fun, and obviously, we were playing such good golf.

“I think we were seven under through eight, so that was definitely helpful. He was making eagles, I was holing out for eagles, so we just had the best fun out there.

“Foot down and don’t let up. That’s our mantra for the week and let’s see where we can go with it.”

Despite the inclement weather, a healthy gallery swarmed around the links to see some of the best amateurs in the world.

“The support has been absolutely insane, they’ve been with us from the first tee this morning,” Byrne added. “Wind, rain, sunshine, everything, they’ve been here, and it’s making the whole experience even better.”

She was thrilled to be paired with Kennedy, who plans to remain amateur for now unless he can get a tour card of some description via the Qualifying School or the Global Amateur Pathway, which offers DP World Tour or Challenge Tour status via the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

“Yeah, I’ve known Max a good few years now, and as soon as I heard that we were going to be paired up, I was over the moon,” Byrne said. “We’re so close that we were just able to go out and have fun with it.

“Americans, Internationals, it doesn’t matter. We’re all here out of respect for Arnold Palmer and we’re all having the best fun. I don’t think anyone has stopped smiling the whole week.

“You don’t remember how you play in these weeks; you remember who you played with and we’re making the best friends we ever could. I honestly think it’s the most special week I’ve ever had.

“So, two more days, let’s see what we can do. Trying to get the W is the biggest goal for the week, but golf is golf and we’re all just here enjoying the whole experience.”

Griffin and Lanigan were three up with three to play against Campos and Ford but lost the 16th and 17th to head down the par-five 18th with the slimmest of leads.

In the end, Griffin made an eight-footer for birdie to win the hole and give the Internationals a one-point lead heading into Saturday’s double session of foursomes and mixed foursomes.

“Some finish, I’m just thrilled for Ryan and Kate,” said Maynooth’s Barry Fennelly, the International team’s head coach.

“They battled so hard. They went on a birdie streak, Kate had three in a row on 11, 12 and 13 and Ryan birdied 14 to get control of the match.

“It was fantastic matchplay at 3 up with three to go. But it’s never over until it’s over, so thrilled for them to get it done.

“We wanted them at the back of the pack, and they really came through at the end in front of a big crowd.”

As for day one, Fennelly was pleased to head into Saturday with a lead.

“Overall, that puts us a point ahead, and to be honest, that’s a great result for us because through nine today, it was quite calm this morning, and the Americans came out really hot, as we expected,” he said.

“In those conditions, they made a ton of birdies on the front nine, and at one stage, it looked like we were going to be lacking one or two points here today.

“So for our guys to turn it around, and credit to them, down the stretch in the clutch moments, we got a lot out of 16, 17 and 18; they were very good to us. So, a great day’s work, and we’ll come out fighting tomorrow.

“Sara and Max were great. We strategically put them in the middle, hoping they would be the heartbeat and get a lot of people out watching and they started really strongly and they just kept going, so great.

“Two Irish wins on day one, exactly what the doctor ordered and importantly, we’re a point ahead, so I’m pretty happy after day one.”