A brilliant final round of 65 on Friday saw the 20-year-old pip his younger brother Conor to the Investec Trophy on countback after both had been the only players to finish under par off scratch in the annual 72-hole ‘major’.
He then admitted that the Inter-Insular is his big target this year after returning to amateur status following a spell as a professional.
‘I thought coming back into “proper” golf this year, I had a point to prove, and I’m really glad that this is the competition I’ve done it in. I’m really pleased,’ McKenna said.
‘My main goal is to try to get back into the Island team for Jersey. I’ve played my golf here and I want to prove a point against Jersey, because last time we were over there, it didn’t go our way.
‘I really want to get over there and show them what we’re about.’
After rounds of 70, 73 and 70 over the first three days, McKenna knew he needed something special if he was to overhaul several top players on the last day of the Investec, but he always felt it was possible and his final round contained eight birdies.
‘I just stood there and thought, “fairways and greens” the whole time, and if I could just hit a decent tee shots and give myself a chance and stop really, really going for it, the putts would drop,’ he said of his approach to the week.
‘It was a bit slow at the start of the week, but today the putts were dropping, which got me the result I needed.’
With being a keen rifle shooter, too, McKenna spends much of his time on the Vale Common, but he admitted that golf is the priority.
‘It’s a tough balance. I can’t get enough of sport, but I’ve always I’ve always been a golfer and practised a lot over the winter ... and I’m happy where my game is – it’s getting there.
‘It’s my first time being a plus-handicapper now, so it’s just a bit of a buzz – golf is where I want to be.’
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