Perse student makes the cut for major European golf competition
Will McKernan (Lower Sixth) will be getting in the swing against the continent’s best young golfers at the Junior European Open in Spain next week.
The Perse golfer reached the finals, which take place at the Alcaidesa Links Resort in Cadiz, after hitting an impressive round of 73 in a qualifying tournament at Clacton Golf Club.
He said: “There were 35 people in that qualifying competition, so I was really pleased to get through and I’m really excited about the finals. It will also be nice to go somewhere warm!”
Will faces an intense week of golf as he takes on around 150 of Europe’s top junior players across four rounds, with two rounds being played on two different courses.
The top two scores from the four rounds will be combined to give each golfer their total, with the leading players going through to face a fifth and final round to decide the champion. As an added bonus, highlights of the final round will be shown on Sky Sports.
If I can get a top-20 finish, that would be ideal.
Will McKernan
Will said: “I played in the finals a couple of years ago, but one of the courses they’re using this year is a new one. We’re staying in a similar place though, so it’s a familiar environment.
“My aim is to make the cut and get through to the final day, and if I can get a top-20 finish, that would be ideal.
“I just try to keep concentrated on my own game and then as long as I’m playing against the course the best I can play, that’s all I can focus on.”
As well as continuing to play golf each weekend, Will has also been spending plenty of time working on his physical preparation for the Junior European Open.
He explained: “For the new younger generations in golf, I think fitness is a key part of it. Everyone needs to hit the ball further around the courses and to get your club speed up, you need to go to the gym and work on your strength and conditioning.”
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