International Golf: Dundalk professional Leslie Walker fired a sparkling six-birdie five under par 67 at Atayala Park on the Costa Del Sol to give Ireland's three-man team a one stroke lead from the rain-delayed opening round of the PGA of Europe International Team championship that carries a €6,000 prize for the winners.

The Dublin-born player suffered the sole blemish, when he failed to get up and down on the 12th green. "'A 25-foot putt at the par four sixth got me going, " said Walker.

Laganviews's Damien Mooney weighed in with a battling one-under par 71 to keep Ireland on course for a second win of the championship. With the top two cards to count, Walker and John Dwyer of Ashbourne lead the title race from Scotland and Wales.