Birdies galore in Boys' Amateur qualifying at County Louth
They are seeking to win the premier under-18 title for Ireland for the first time since Grange member Leslie Walker won at Seaton Carew in 1986.
Portmarnock member Fahey couldn't match the fireworks of his opening 66, but he qualified with ease courtesy of a one-under-par 71 thanks to two birdies in his last four holes, the 15th and 18th, after dropping a shot at the 12th hole. He finished on seven-under.
'My round was a bit more boring today, but I'm happy enough because I'm into the match play rounds,' Fahey said. 'It's nice to do well in the stroke play but it's all about getting through to match play. That's all that matters. There are so many good players here that anyone who finishes in the top-64 can win.'
Doyle will take also that attitude into the match play stages. The Fota Island player will be looking to add the Boys' title to the six-shot victory he notched up in lifting the Irish Boys' Amateur Open Championship trophy in April. He posted five-under.
Kris Kim from England and France's Callixte Alzas topped strokeplay qualifying at Baltray.
County Louth Golf Club might never again see two better consecutive days than those which have welcomed competitors. Hardly a breath of wind, warm temperatures and perfect links conditions have greeted the elite field.
Many of the 144 players from 29 countries around the globe have taken full advantage of the almost Caribbean-like weather. No wonder the 36-hole qualifying rounds have set new records since qualifying was introduced in 2013.
Every one of the 64 qualifiers was under par, a first for the Boys'. The cut of one-under-par was three shots better than the two-over-par mark set at Nairn in 2017.
New record Kim and Alzas set a new record for leading qualifying score by finishing on 11-under-par 133, breaking the previous low of eight-under-par 136 at Nairn and equalled at Royal Cinque Ports in 2021.
Kim remains on course for a second title after winning the 2023 Championship at Ganton. Alzas matched Kim's scores both days, the pair carding second round six-under-par 66s to go with opening 65s.
Kris Kim is also at 11-under after the stroke play rounds.
Playing together over the two rounds, they made 28 birdies and two eagles between them. No surprise Germany's Luca Jerome Herb uttered the words 'I think one of you will win this week,' when he exited the scoring area after missing the cut.
The highlight of Kim's round was an eagle at the par-5 second hole when he hit a 7-iron from 190 yards to 15 feet and rolled in the putt. The 17-year-old tried to play down the idea of any advantage he might have as a past champion.
Kim confidence 'I think I bring a little bit of confidence as a past winner, but then again anyone can beat you in match play if they have a good day,' he said. 'So I've just got to keep playing well and try not to make as many bogeys (six and one double bogey) as I've made the last two days.'
Alzas also made an eagle, a three at the par-5, 6th hole when he hit a 6-iron to three feet.
'It was great playing with Kris over the last two days; we played some amazing golf,' Alzas said. 'I think we urged each other on.'
The French player is in excellent form this summer. He reached the quarter-finals of The Amateur Championship at Royal St George's and lifted the Carris Trophy as English Boys' Open Amateur Stroke Play champion at Luffenham Heath last month.
'I'm feeling good about my game obviously,' he added. 'I'm looking forward to playing match play on this wonderful golf course. If I can just do what I've been doing then I'll have a chance but match play is always tough. I had a nice run at The Amateur and hopefully I can have one here too.'
He is hoping to become the first French winner since 2019 Champion Tom Gueant.
Weather forecasts for the next four days predict even warmer temperatures and little wind. Par golf is usually good in head-to-head golf, but birdies, plenty of them, will be required to become the 98th winner of this prestigious championship.
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