A cold putter proved the downfall of Max Kennedy in last week’s Amateur Championship in Ballyliffin but it has heated up in the nick of time as he bolted into contention at the European Amateur Championship.
Kennedy is four-under-par in Denmark after an opening 68 and he trails American Preston Summerhays by one shot in a share of second.
The Royal Dublin golfer made a hot start with there birdies in his opening four holes before going on a bogey, birdie, bogey run from the sixth.
A strong finish with birdies on the 15th and 16th saw him briefly share the lead and he was delighted to see his putting back to the standard he is used to seeing.
“Best bit of my game today was by far the putting. I hit a couple of ropey tee shots but the putter definitely helped me get around in four-under.
“Putting is key at any golf course but especially here because it is tight and you wont hit a lot of greens. Having the putter rolling well is definitely nice and the strength of my game is putting and chipping so it’s a good feeling.”
Kennedy’s club mate Hugh Foley shares 24th place and is five shots back on level-par.
Foley opened his day with back to back double bogeys but recovered with five birdies and one bogey.
Galway’s Liam Nolan is two-over after a 74 alongside Roganstown’s Sean Keeling.
Irish amateur champion Matthew McClean (Malone) is four-over after a 76 with Jack Murphy and Thomas Higgins towards the foot of the leaderboard.
Scoring HERE