Doyle hopes
John Doyle gave Ireland another runner in the race when he needed 20 holes to see of Japan’s Kinjaro Kato. No Irish player has won the Boys’ title since 1986.
Kris Kim’s dream of winning a second championship is on course after he eased to a 5&3 victory over Sweden’s Melker Bohlin to book his place in the second round.
Kim, winner of the 2023 Boys’ Amateur at Ganton Golf Club, was never behind in the 15 holes it took him to better Bohlin. The Wentworth Golf Club member stamped his authority on the match early when he won the first two holes. He did lose the third to a birdie but never looked like losing any holes after that.
“I was good today, I didn’t make a single bogey, unlike my two qualifying rounds, so that was pleasing,” Kim said. “I was really solid.”
Kim bid
Playing just 15 holes was just what Kim was looking for if he’s to match his 2023 victory.
He added, “Getting ahead in the first few holes is important in match play. Winning early is always good, especially since this can be a long week. It helps with my stamina because it’s easy to get tired in later rounds. The more holes you play, the more stress you feel. So not having to play 18 holes is a bonus.” Kim faces Italy’s Bruno Frontero in round two.
Just one American has won the Boys’ Amateur since its inception in 1921. Stuart Scheftel holds that honour. He triumphed in 1928.
Kuan Zhou has an chance to end 97 winless years for the red, white and blue this week. Like Fahey and Kim, he had a relatively easy passage through to the second round. The American ran out a 5&3 victor over France’s Oscar Couilleau, recent winner of the Monroe Invitational in the USA. Zhou won despite not feeling too confident early on.
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