Matt Sharpstene will take a one-stroke lead into the weekend of the Irish Challenge at Killeen Castle after birdieing four of his closing five holes on day two in Co. Meath.
The American signed for a round-of-the-week six under par 66 to reach seven under par for the tournament, one shot ahead of Italian Stefano Mazzoli and Frenchman Oihan Guillamoundeguy who share second.
Sharpstene, who carded a one under par 71 on the opening day, battled blustery conditions for the second successive day on the Emerald Isle, and will go into the weekend in pole position as he searches for a maiden HotelPlanner Tour win.
“I didn’t really miss a shot all day,” he said. “I feel great. I played well yesterday, had a poor finish, but knew I was hitting it well, so it was nice to see some putts go in today.
“I was doing everything really well. I’ve been playing well all year, but I haven’t really put a round together, so it was nice to do that today.
“It’s playing tough. It’s blowing, but I’ve played well in wind previously. I knew it was going to be windy this week, and knew I had a chance.”
Sharpstene, starting on the tenth, birdied three of his opening four holes before dropping his only shot of the day at the par three 14th.
The 26-year-old parred his way to the fourth before reeling off four straight birdies from the fifth to climb into the lead.
Sharpstene earned full playing status for the 2025 Road to Mallorca after coming through all three stages of DP World Tour Qualifying School before making the 72-hole cut at Final Stage.
The American has his dad caddying for him this week which he says has helped relieve the pressure he’s felt in his first full season on the HotelPlanner Tour.
“It is actually my dad’s birthday today, so that was a pretty good present for him,” he added. “I knew he was coming this week, so I knew it was going to be a great week.
“I’ve put so much pressure on myself all year, and him being here this week has really helped me have fun and let loose a little bit.
“I’ve been playing well and have been close to cuts all year. There’s definitely been nights where I’ve been texting my dad non-stop, trying to figure it all out.
“I play my best when I’m not thinking, and I haven’t really thought about much this week which has helped me.”
Englishman Will Enefer, Dane Jeppe Kristian Andersen and Ronan Kleu from Switzerland share fourth on five under par, with five players a shot further back in seventh, including Frenchmen Julien Sale and Andoni Etchenique, German Michael Hirmer, Englishman George Bloor and Dane Gustav Frimodt.
The third round of the Irish Challenge gets under way tomorrow at 7:30am local time, with Sharpstene teeing off alongside Mazzoli and Guillamoundeguy at 12:04pm.
