Kennedy gunning for final round fireworks at Fancourt as Hull wins in Riyadh
Max Kennedy hits his shot from the seventh tee during the third round of the LIV Golf Promotions at Black Diamond Ranch on Saturday, January 10, 2026 in Lecanto, Florida. (Photo by Mike Stobe/LIV Golf)
Max Kennedy vowed to come out “all guns blazing” after making two birdies in his last four holes to keep his victory hopes alive in the weather-affected NTT DATA Pro-Am at Fancourt.
The Royal Dublin man (24) is determined to win a DP World Tour card via the second-tier HotelPlanner Tour rankings this season and goes into the final round tied for eighth on nine-under, just four shots behind clubhouse leader MJ Daffue.
The South African carded a bogey-free, eight-under 64 to lead by two shots in 13 under from compatriot Dean Dermishuys and American Hunter Logan.
Overnight leader Benjamin Follett-Smith was two-over through six holes when play finally got underway after a long rain delay in an event already reduced to 54 holes following Thursday’s washout.
Kennedy does not know how far behind he will be when the second round is completed early on Sunday, but he hopes to light up the Montagu Course and continue racking up the Road to Mallorca points.
“Again, played really solidly,” said Kennedy, who was level for the day after a bogey at the 14th before birdies at the 16th and 18th gave him a two-under 70.
“Tee to green didn't know a whole lot wrong. Made a one silly bogey from nowhere, but apart from that, it was really good.”
He knows he will have to go low to claim a maiden win and won’t be holding back.
“Tomorrow is just about all guns blazing and see where you finish up at the end of the day,” he said. “The conditions are quite soft, so you can be aggressive to some of the pins.
“I remained quite aggressive today and hit shots when I needed to. So it will be the same game plan tomorrow, pretty much.”
Gary Hurley was tied for 11th, seven shots off the pace alongside veteran Ernie Els (58), after a 70 on the Montagu, while Liam Nolan climbed to joint 20th on six under after a 69 at the Outeniqua layout that might have been better but for a double-bogey seven at his 17th hole.
“I finished poorly in both rounds, a couple of dropped shots on par fives,” the Galway man said. “But apart from that, I'm playing quite well.
“It’s been a bit stop-start this week with all the weather. So just happy to be playing some good golf.”
Nolan finished in the pack in his first two starts of the new season, but he’s confident his best golf is not far away.
“There's been no fireworks yet, but a lot of good signs,” he said. “So happy with the way the game is going. I'll just keep playing and see where I end up.
“The Montagu tomorrow is the more challenging course. So some good golf can really get you up the leaderboard a bit quicker there.
“Really looking forward to it and trying to play one more day of good golf.”
Rowan Lester was four under with nine to play and just inside the projected cut mark, while Conor Purcell was a shot further back on three-under and Liam Grehan three-over after six holes of their second rounds.
Charley Hull of England with her trophy. Credit: Tristan Jones/ LET
Hull wins with closing 65 in Saudi Arabia
Meanwhile, England’s Charley Hull fired a seven-under par 65 to claim her fifth LET victory in the season-opening, $5 million PIF Saudi Ladies International in Riyadh.
The Solheim Cup star (29) began the day three shots behind Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi and Japan’s Rio Takeda before storming through the field to set a 19-under-par target nobody could match.
She won by a shot from Japan’s Akie Iwai and South Africa’s Casandra Alexander, who had a share of the lead with two holes to play but bogeyed the 17th and failed to birdie the last to force a play-off.
“It feels great,” said Hull, who came home in a blistering five-under 31 to earn a cheque for €631,624 that will go a long way towards renovating her new home
“My house renovation is pretty much done, so I needed that win. I’m looking forward to getting settled into my house in a couple of weeks when it’s all done and celebrating my birthday.”
Kildare’s Lauren Walsh closed with a bogey-free, five-under 67 to tie for 22nd on eight-under (€49,898) while Anna Foster’s 69 left her 41st (€24,703) on six-under.
