Sean Keeling at the Amgen Irish Open (@IrishOpen_ on X)
At just 17 years old, Seán Keeling has firmly established himself as one of the brightest young talents in Irish golf. It's understandable why some have dubbed him "The next Rory McIlroy." After all, his game is being refined at North Dublin's "Made in Holywood" Academy by Geoff Loughrey, who uses lessons learned under McIlroy’s coach, Michael Bannon.
As he teed it up at the Irish Open at Royal County Down -- flying back to Ireland after just a week in Lubbock for his freshman year at Texas Tech -- the excitement of playing a Monday practice round with legend Padraig Harrington kicked off Keeling's week.
“Buzzing! Got a few days of good preparation so looking forward to getting going. Got my second cousin on the bag and he’s caddied for me before,” Keeling told Ronan MacNamara of Irish Golfer.
After 17 straight pars in Thursday's first round, Keeling birdied the last in near darkness for a 1-under 70 and followed it with a 1-over 72 to sit at even par heading into the weekend, safely under the projected cut of 2-over. But a disappointing 81 on Saturday dropped him well down the leaderboard. Sunday was much better, as three birdies early on the back nine got him to even par on the day, but three straight bogeys to finish resulted in a 3-over 74 and a 67th-place result.
As Keeling heads back to Lubbock to begin his freshman year at Texas Tech in earnest, let's take a look at the career of the young golfer from the North Dublin town of Roganstown, Ireland.
Early Beginnings and Rise Through the Amateur Ranks
Keeling’s introduction was at age six when he took up his first golf summer camp in County Donegal. Fast-forward to age 12, and Keeling was holding his own with a much more experienced and mature field in the North of Ireland at Royal Portrush. Just three years later, he won a Regional Qualifier for The Open. He was part of the Ireland U-16 Boys’ High-Performance squad and represented his country at prestigious events like the Junior Ryder Cup and the Jacques Leglise Trophy.
Keeling’s rise has been marked not only by his ability to compete but by his composure and maturity on the course. Known for his precise ball striking and competitive mindset, Keeling has drawn comparisons to some of Ireland’s most successful golfers, like McIlroy.
Competing with Professionals
In 2024, Keeling received a coveted spot in the Irish Open, where he competed with professional players on one of the world's most challenging courses, Royal County Down. Despite his youth, Keeling’s steady performances and fearless attitude in this event exemplify his readiness to compete at the highest levels. His participation in the Irish Open has not only elevated his profile but also provided him with valuable experience against elite competition.
Summary of Accomplishments
Seán Keeling’s amateur career has been highlighted by standout performances in a variety of high-profile events, both at home and abroad. His consistency across multiple seasons has been remarkable, as he has climbed the World Amateur Golf Rankings year after year. Below is a summary of his notable finishes and rankings:
2024 Season:
Spanish International Amateur: 4th
British Amateur: Final 64
European Nations/Sotogrande Cup: T17
Irish Amateur Close Championship: T4
Irish Open Amateur: T9
European Amateur: T36
2023 Season:
World Amateur Golf Ranking: 192
English Amateur/Brabazon Trophy: T4
Portuguese International Amateur: 3rd
Welsh Open Amateur: 4th
Spanish International Amateur: Final 16
St. Andrews Links Trophy: 32nd
Irish Open Amateur: T27
2022 Season:
Irish Open Amateur: T6
British Open Regional Qualifying: Medalist
Irish Amateur Close Championship: Final 16
Connacht Under-18 Boys Open Champion
2021 Season:
North of Ireland Amateur: Final 16
The Road Ahead
Seán Keeling’s rise through the amateur ranks has been meteoric, and his results indicate that he is on a trajectory toward even greater success. With strong performances in elite amateur tournaments and invaluable experience from competing alongside professionals, Keeling is poised to continue his ascent in golf.