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…
