Sean Keeling leaves lasting impression on Harrington

Sean Keeling got his dream week at the Amgen Irish Open off to a fantastic start with a practice round on Monday alongside three-time major champion Pádraig Harrington, who was hugely impressed with what he saw from the 18-year-old.

Keeling barely had a chance to unpack her suitcase for her first year at Texas Tech before heading back across the Atlantic to Royal County Down for her professional event debut.

“I’m buzzing! I’ve had a good few days of preparation so I’m really looking forward to getting started. I’ve got my first cousin on the bag and he’s been my caddie before,” said Keeling, who has already returned from Texas with a change to a claw putting grip.

“I hadn’t played this course before this week so it’s a good test, we just have to stay patient and play solid golf and see where it takes us.

“I was in Texas for two and a half weeks, so I’m back this week and then I’m going back to Texas. So this is my last event on Irish soil for a while.”

Keeling played a practice round with Harrington, the 2007 Irish Open winner. The 53-year-old has become something of a godfather of Irish golf, always on hand to offer advice to youngsters coming through the ranks and his words have proved invaluable to golfers like Leona Maguire.

Keeling was part of a group alongside fellow amateur Max Kennedy and DP World Tour hopeful Conor Purcell and although the Roganstown star has no memories of Harrington’s heyday, it was a dream day for the teenager.

“I played with him on Monday, it was cool, I enjoyed it and he gave me some good advice. It was nice to be around him for a few holes,” added Keeling.

“He just told me to stay patient this week and stay resilient. He said there would be ups and downs in the game. Just watching him and seeing how he carries himself and goes about his business is really interesting. I’m too young to remember his major wins but I’ve watched them. He’s definitely an inspiration to any Irish player.”

Harrington himself was impressed by what he saw of Keeling as well as Kennedy and Purcell.

“I was very impressed (by Sean), I played with him, Max Kennedy and Conor. I had three young Irish guys, different personalities, different styles of play.

“Of course, Sean is a young player, only 18, a great ball-striker. I just don’t think he looks like he’s out of his game at 18. So he’s got plenty of time to continue to grow and learn as a player. There’s no rush.

“Max is just at the beginning of his journey. He hasn’t turned professional yet and Max is a lot like I was at that stage, a late developer, quite determined, dedicated.

“Conor seems like a serious guy. He seems very comfortable with who he is. The only thing you need, if you want to be a professional golfer, is for everyone to have the minimum level of ball striking. It’s the one who believes in it, the one who is comfortable in the environment. That’s what creates the buzz. Coming in here and not being dazzled or surprised and being able to do your own thing and not being pushed back when it doesn’t go well.”