LeBlanc "gutted" as he bows out in Spanish Amateur semis
Kevin LeBlanc putting at El Saler. Picture: Adolfo Luna (RFEG).
The Island's Kevin LeBlanc confessed that he was "gutted" to lose 2 and 1 to clinical Welshman Jack Davidson in the semi-finals of the Spanish Amateur Open at El Saler.
The 18-year old Maynooth University player beat Spain's Ángel Hidalgo 2 and 1 in the morning quarter-finals but he had to bow to Davidson's short game wizardry at El Saler in the afternoon.
"I played well this afternoon and I was level par in windy conditions," LeBlanc said. "But he got some really good up and downs from 40-60 yards a couple of times for par and I didn't get much going.
"I was a good week but I still feel a bit gutted because I felt I really could've won here. The greens really suited my eye."
LeBlanc realised he was in for a tough afternoon when Davidson holed a 30-footer for a half on the first.
"He then birdied the fourth and fifth and chipped in on the sixth which was a killer because I was one under par and two down," LeBlanc said.
Kevin LeBlanc lets rip at El Saler. Picture: Adolfo Luna (RFEG).
"Happy enough" how the season has gone so far, LeBlanc will be one of the fancied players for the West of Ireland Championship at County Sligo, where he reached the quarter-finals last year.
Davidson will face Marco Penge in the final after the Englishman saw off Spain's Eduard Rousaud 5 and 3.
Penge, who is ranked 85th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, was plethoric against Rousaud, who beat Stuart Grehan 7 and 6 in the second round.
The English star was always in control, going two up after six, four up after eight and three up after 11 before closing out the match on the 14th.
Davidson was the last man into the matchplay draw, finishing 32nd in the 36-hole medal play qualifier.
But after beating David Puig 3 and 2 and LeBlanc 2 and 1, he's now on course for the biggest win of his career.
Spanish Amateur Open (Copa del Rey), El Saler, Valencia
Quarter-finals
Jack Davidson (Wal) beat David Puig (Esp) 3/2
Kevin LeBlanc (Ire) beat Angel Hidalgo (Esp) 2/1
Marco Penge (Eng) beat Harry Goddard (Eng) 2/1
Eduard Rousaud (Esp) beat Pierre Verlaar (Ned) 5/4
Semi-finals
Penge bt Rousaud 5/3
Davidson bt LeBlanc 2/1.
Final (36 holes) - 8.30am and 1.30pm
Jack Davidson (Wal) v Marco Penge (Eng).