Staff WriterJeppe Kristian Andersen marked his 30th birthday in style at the Irish Challenge, carding a blistering seven-under-par 65 at Killeen Castle to set a new course record and grab a three-shot lead heading into Sunday’s final round.
The Dane began the day two strokes adrift but wasted no time climbing the leaderboard, reeling off four straight birdies from the second hole to take control. By the time he reached the clubhouse, Andersen sat at 12-under for the week, three clear of France’s Oihan Guillamoundeguy, with Swiss contender Ronan Kleu a further shot back.
“It was a good present to give myself,” Andersen grinned, his game as polished as his new age. “I played solid all day, made one mistake, but there was plenty of good stuff. I hit it close and holed a few putts.
From the fairway, it was doable today, but if you’re off the fairway and with the firm greens, it’s tough. I was very patient which was the key. I think that’ll be the plan tomorrow. This course can be very tough if you don’t hit it well off the tee though, so we’ll see.”
Patient? Perhaps. Lethal? Absolutely. After his electric start, Andersen extended his advantage with birdies on the seventh and 12th, shrugged off a lone bogey at the par-three 14th, then dialled in two more birdies at 15 and 17 to cap a masterclass in momentum golf.
For a man who finished a modest 36th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings in his debut HotelPlanner Tour season two years ago—and endured a tough 2024—this is a chance to flip the script.
“It would be a huge boost,” Andersen said. “My first year out here in 2023 was tough but I learned a lot, and then last year I played too many tournaments, but also learned a lot.
This year, because of my category, I have had less starts but that’s helped me perform better. Less golf and maybe a win sometime would be awesome. If I can play well off the tee tomorrow, I think I can do it.”
Behind him, Guillamoundeguy is lurking on nine-under, with Kleu in third at eight-under. Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli, England’s Will Enefer, and Chile’s Gabriel Morgan share fourth at six-under, while Scotsman Craig Howie rounds out the top seven at five-under.
The Irish Challenge will conclude tomorrow, with the final round teeing off at 7:00 am local time. Andersen, Guillamoundeguy, and Kleu will take the last stroll down the opening fairway at 11:34 am—and if today’s fireworks are anything to go by, the birthday boy might just be about to gift himself something shiny for the mantle.
