R&A Senior Amateur champion John Kennedy is set to compete in the 46th US Senior Open after receiving an invitation to be part of the tournament – which takes place at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio on July 2-5.
Consett & District Golf Club-based John – who made his England debut in 2025 following his wins in the Scottish Senior Men’s Open at Montrose and The R&A Senior Amateur at Walton Heath – said: “Having had a chance to digest the email, which came out of the blue, I’m so excited to be heading back to the US to be part of a senior major.
“I competed in the US Senior Amateur last year, and the USGA and all the competitors made me so welcome. I was already looking forward to my second visit to that event, but getting the invite to the US Senior Open was a bit of a shock – I hadn’t realised that was another one of the rewards for winning last summer at Walton Heath.”
The US Senior Open – which will bring together some of golf’s biggest names over the age of 50 – will take place at Scioto – where Jack Nicklaus learned the game under Jack Grout.
“This summer is going to present some logistical challenges,” added John, who will compete in the US Senior Open before flying home to defend the R&A Senior Amateur trophy at Frilford Heath on July 7-10. He will then return to the US for the 71st US Senior Amateur at Baltimore Country Club on August 29-September 3.
“Making the cut at Scioto would mean I had just two days to get back to the UK and tee it up in Oxfordshire – but I got through some tight turnarounds last summer and can’t wait to do it all again. These are nice challenges to have!
“As all this golf has to fit into holidays, I’m so happy to have the full support of my partner, Louise, and my colleagues at The AA. I’m dedicated to playing in as much as I can and my goal for 2026 is the same as last year, to perform well enough in a limited number of starts to make it into the England team for the European Championships in France and the Home Internationals. I loved every minute of those experiences with the team last year and will be doing everything I can to be selected again at the end of this season.
“I’ve been working hard at home all winter – mainly indoors given the weather, including the snow, up in Consett. I’ve been in the simulators at Consett and Prudhoe a lot – and it’s been lovely to spend some time with [former Northumberland county player and England international] Shaun Philipson at Prudhoe. It has been great to see Shaun up there, pick his brains about playing for England, and talk about what’s the same and what has changed since he represented England in the 1990s.”
