O'Keeffe to give coach a boost

Big-hearted Peter O’Keeffe wants to give his seriously injured coach a boost with a top show at Adare Manor.

The 6’ 5” giant from Douglas, 26, wants to make a big splash as Munster coaching legend Fred Twomey recovers from serious head injuries after falling down the stairs.

O’Keeffe said: “Fred’s been my coach for the last five years but he had an unbelieveable accident on Good Friday.

“He has suffered a major head injury and been in hospital now for the last six weeks.

“He has had a massive impact on Munster golf and Irish golf as well. Anyone in Munster goes to Fred. He would have loved to be at Adare this week and I’d love to be able to text him and say ‘Job done’ and have a good performance.”

O’Keeffe made an amazing run to the European Tour Q-School finals as an amateur last year and turned professional.

And while he didn’t get his card, a top show in the Irish Open would be a massive boost to his confidence as he prepares for a run of Challegne Tour starts.

He said: “I’ve been practising down in Adare for the last two weeks in the hope that the invite would come.

“Now that it has, I am looking forward to it now and the place looks unbelievable.

“I will have a good gang up from Douglas to support me and my buddy Dave Connolly on the bag. I am trying to stay patient and waiting for that momentum to kick in.

“Adare suits a good driver or the ball and I always drive the ball well. I am a momentum, guy. If I get off to a nice start, I will be fine.”