Richard O’Donovan produced one of his finest displays to grab the first round lead in the Spanish Amateur Championship on the South course at La Manga yesterday.
The 22-year-old 2011 East of Ireland champion fired a two under par 71 to storm into a two-stroke advantage and help Ireland to claim the lead in the Nations Cup.
The Lucan man was the only player in the 115-strong field to beat par on a day when a strong, swirling wind made controlling the ball difficult.
“It was one of those days when things went right.
It was not easy but I knew if I kept making par I would be up with the leaders,” he said.
IRISH FIRST ROUND SCORES: 71 – R O’Donovan (Lucan), 73 – D McElroy (Ballymena), 74 – J Hume (Rathsallagh), 75 – R Whitsun (Mourne), C Selfridge (Moyola Park), 77 – R McNamara (Headfort), B Casey (Headfort), 78 – N Grant (Knock).
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