CHALLENGE TOUR: Waterville's David Higgins is the leading Irishman at the European Challenge Tour's English Challenge Open after a solid opening round of one-under-par 71 left him just five shots off the early pace set by England's David Griffiths.
The 31-year-old picked up two birdies and dropped just one shot en route to his 71 as he bids to break into the top 45 on this year's rankings to secure a place at next weekend's season-ending Telecom Grand Final in France.
Stephen Browne is the next best Irishman in the field on two over, with Colm Moriarty and Tim Rice a further three shots back after posting a pair of 77s.
US TOUR: Accuracy off the tee helped Brent Geiberger, Tom Pernice Jr, Bo Van Pelt and Brendan Pappas to a share of the lead at the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro at Forest Oaks CC, North Carolina. The quartet shot six-under-par 66s to lead by one from Carl Pettersson, Justin Rose and Blaine McCallister.
LINKS PRO-AM: Paul Kennedy started the winter Links season on a high at Co Louth yesterday. The Hermitage seven handicapper fired a nett 64 (one under gross) to claim the first prize by four shots from Brendan McGovern (Headfort) and Michael Lavelle (K Club).
Former Walker Cup player Jody Fanagan (Milltown) won the gross with an excellent, five-under-par 67.
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