O'Keeffe hits the front in Munster Stroke Play
Peter O’Keeffe. (© Golffile | Thos Caffrey)
Douglas’ Peter O’Keeffe fired rounds of 66 and 71 to take a one-stroke lead into the last two rounds of the Munster Stroke Play Championship at Cork Golf Club.
Winner of the AIG Irish Men’s Amateur Close Championship, his home Scratch Cup and the men’s Home Internationals with Ireland this year, the Cork man tops the leaderboard on seven-under-par from 15-year old club mate Jack Murphy (70-68), international teammates, the West of Ireland champion Hugh Foley (68-70) and Irish Close runner-up Robert Moran (67-71) and the excellent Athenry talent Allan Hill (68-70).
Dun Laoghaire’s Robert Abernethy sits alone in sixth on five-under after rounds of 71 and 68
O’Keeffe’s opening 66 was equalled by Waterford’s Eanna Griffin, who followed up with a 74 to fall back to seventh place in three-under
Murphy showed he is clearly one to watch for the future as he made six birdies and an eagle for his second round 68 to move into contention.
The top-16 will earn Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit points this weekend, with 150 points on offer for the winner, as the field looks to chase down Laytown and Bettystown’s Alex Maguire at the top.
Only Co. Sligo’s TJ Ford and O’Keeffe can overtake Maguire this weekend. A top-four finish for Ford or a top-three finish for O’Keeffe would be enough for either to knock their Ireland teammate off top spot.
The Munster Stroke Play Championship is the penultimate event on the 2021 Bridgestone Men’s Order of Merit, ahead of the Flogas Irish Men's Amateur Open Championship at The European Club in mid-October.