Frank Kennedy (golfer)

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

Frank Kennedy
Kennedy at the British Masters in 2023.
Personal information
Born (2005-10-02) 2 October 2005 (age 19)
Sporting nationality England
ResidenceJupiter, Florida, U.S.
Career
Turned professional2023
Current tour(s)Challenge Tour
Professional wins1
Number of wins by tour
Challenge Tour1

Amateur career

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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] He won the U. S. Kids Golf British Championship in consecutive years in 2016 and 2017.[6] He won the Wee Wonders Grand Final at St Andrews Scotland in 2018.[6] 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.[7] In 2020, he won the Junior Honda Classic at PGA National Resort in Florida.[6] Kennedy became a member of the England Golf boys squad and within 12 months graduated to the men's squad aged 15 years.[8] 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).[9] In 2022, he became the youngest winner of the Portuguese International Amateur Championship with a championship record score of 19 under par.[10] 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[11] and later that year represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Jacques Léglise Trophy.[12]

In 2023, Kennedy won the Lytham Trophy, becoming the joint youngest winner in the tournament's history aged 17.[3] He took third place The Amateur Championship in 2023 after losing to the eventual winner.[13] He turned professional at age 17, ranked 41st in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.[14]

Professional career

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Kennedy made his professional debut at the 2023 British Masters at The Belfry and made the cut, eventually finishing in 65th place.[15] 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.[16]

In 2024, Kennedy secured his first victory as a professional after winning the Euram Bank Open on the Challenge Tour, making him the third youngest winner in Challenge Tour history.[1]

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.

Amateur wins

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  • 2022 Portuguese International Amateur Championship
  • 2023 Lytham Trophy

Source:[17]

Professional wins (1)

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Challenge Tour wins (1)

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No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner-up
1 21 Jul 2024 Euram Bank Open −13 (65-66-65-71=267) 1 stroke   Nicolai von Dellingshausen

Team appearances

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Teen sensation Kennedy claims first Challenge Tour title". Golf News. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  2. ^ "Frank Kennedy Wins Portuguese International". European Golf Association. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b Moore, Andy (2 May 2023). "Rising golf star with famous caddie wins Lytham Trophy". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  4. ^ Devika (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. ^ a b c "Getting to know Frank Kennedy as he embarks on his professional career at The Belfry". European Tour. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  7. ^ "English raider Kennedy captures Irish U14 title". Irish Golfer. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  8. ^ "England Golf names men's squad for 2022-23 season". England Golf. 12 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Brabazon Trophy 2021". Ganton Golf Club. 23 August 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  10. ^ "Frank Kennedy Wins Portuguese International". European Golf Association. 12 February 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Germany Retain European Boys' Team Championship Title". European Golf Association. 9 July 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  12. ^ "The Jacques Léglise Trophy – 2022 Preview & Results". Golf Bible. 21 August 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  13. ^ "The Amateur Championship – 2023 Preview & Results". Golf Bible. 14 June 2023. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  14. ^ MacNamara, Ronan (25 June 2023). "Blow to GB&I Walker Cup hopes as Frank Kennedy turns pro". Irish Golfer. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Frank Kennedy". World Amateur Golf Ranking. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
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