Wikipedia

Frank Kennedy (golfer)

Frank Kennedy (born 2 October 2005) is an English professional golfer who currently plays on the DP World Tour and the Challenge Tour. In 2024, Kennedy recorded his first win as a professional on the Challenge Tour at the Euram Bank Open, winning by one stroke.[1] Prior to turning professional in 2023, aged 17, he won the 2022 Portuguese International Amateur Championship[2] and won the 2023 Lytham Trophy.[3] In 2021, aged 15, he became the youngest ever player from Great Britain & Ireland to make the cut on a European Tour event at the Hero Open.[4]

Amateur career

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Kennedy at the British Masters in 2023.

Kennedy's first significant victory came in the 2016 Doral Publix Junior Classic in the 10/11 age group at Trump National Doral, in Miami, Florida[5] (also won by Rory McIlroy in 1998[6]). He won the US Kids Golf British Championship on consecutive years in 2016 and 2017.[7] He won the Wee Wonders Grand Final at St Andrews Scotland in 2018.[8] In 2019, aged 13, he won the Irish U14 Open Championship and was runner up in the Irish U16 Open Championship in the same year.[9] In 2020, he won the Junior Honda Classic at PGA National Resort in Florida.[7] Kennedy became a member of the England Golf Boys Squad and within 12 months graduated to the Men's squad aged 15 years.[10] In 2021, he won the George Henriques Salver award for the highest placed Great Britain & Ireland player under the age of 20 in the Brabazon Trophy aged 15.[11] In 2022, he became the youngest ever winner of the Portuguese International Amateur Championship with a Championship record score of 19 under par.[12] In 2022, he was a member of the England Golf Boys Squad that took the silver medal in the European Boys' Team Championship at Golf Club St. Leon-Rot, Germany[13] and later that year represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Jacques Léglise Trophy.[14]

In 2023, Kennedy won the Lytham Trophy, becoming the joint youngest winner in the tournament's history aged 17.[15] He took third place The Amateur Championship in 2023 after losing to the eventual winner.[16] He turned professional at age 17, ranked 41st in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.[17]

Professional career

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He made his professional debut at the 2023 British Masters at The Belfry and made the cut, eventually finishing in 65th place.[18] During 2023, he played on the Challenge Tour, European Tour and Asian Tour and achieved his first top 10 finish when he placed 7th at the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Queensland Golf Club aged 18 years.[19]

In 2024, Kennedy secured his first victory as a professional after winning at the Euram Bank Open on the Challenge Tour, making him the third youngest winner in Challenge Tour history.[20]

Coaches and mentors

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Kennedy spends a lot of time in Florida at his Jupiter base where he is coached by Brad Faxon and Jim McLean.

References

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  1. ^ Golf News (21 July 2024). "Teen sensation Kennedy claims first Challenge Tour title". Golf News. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ European Golf Association (12 February 2022). "Frank Kennedy Wins Portuguese International". European Golf Association. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ Moore, Andy (2 May 2023). "Rising golf star with famous caddie wins Lytham Trophy". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  4. ^ Devika, Essentially Sports (8 July 2021). "15-Year-Old European Tour Debutant Frank Kennedy Makes the Cut at Hero Open 2021". Essentially Sports.
  5. ^ Cooper, Matt (28 February 2022). "Top Competition Fuels Am Kennedy". Global Golf Post. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  6. ^ Beattie, Jilly (2017). "The Story of Rory". Belfast Live.
  7. ^ a b European Tour (29 June 2023). "Getting to know Frank Kennedy as he embarks on his professional career at The Belfry". European Tour. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  8. ^ European Tour (29 June 2023). "Getting to know Frank Kennedy as he embarks on his professional career at The Belfry". European Tour. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  9. ^ Flyfishingteam (2 August 2019). "English raider Kennedy captures Irish U14 title". Irish Golfer. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  10. ^ England Golf (12 January 2023). "England Golf names men's squad for 2022-23 season". England Golf. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  11. ^ Ganton Golf Club (23 August 2021). "Brabazon Trophy 2021". Ganton Golf Club. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  12. ^ European Golf Association (12 February 2022). "Frank Kennedy Wins Portuguese International". European Golf Association. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  13. ^ European Golf Association (9 July 2022). "GERMANY RETAIN EUROPEAN BOYS' TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE". European Golf Association. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  14. ^ Golf Bible (21 August 2022). "The Jacques Léglise Trophy – 2022 Preview & Results". Golf Bible. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  15. ^ Moore, Andy (2 May 2023). "Rising golf star with famous caddie wins Lytham Trophy". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  16. ^ Golf Bible (14 June 2023). "The Amateur Championship – 2023 Preview & Results". Golf Bible. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  17. ^ MacNamara, Ronan (25 June 2023). "Blow to GB&I Walker Cup hopes as Frank Kennedy turns pro". Irish Golfer. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  18. ^ Dempster, Martin (30 June 2023). "Frank Kennedy turned back on Walker Cup at St Andrews after feeling 'ready' to turn professional". The Scotsman. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  19. ^ LEIGHFIELD, Jonny (26 November 2023). "Thunderclaps, A Helping Foot, And LIV Golfer's Hole-In-One - 6 Must-See Moments From The Australian PGA Championship". Golf Monthly. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  20. ^ Golf News (21 July 2024). "Teen sensation Kennedy claims first Challenge Tour title". Golf News. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
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