Brendan Lawlor was pleased with how he began his defence of the G4D Open after an opening round of 71 left him three shots behind Kipp Popert at Woburn.
Lawlor is one-under-par and in a share of second place with Mike Browne as he aims to win the G4D Open for the second successive year.
The Louth man started slow with eight pars and a bogey on the second but he soon got in to red figures with two birdies in three holes to start his back nine.
Lawlor dropped shots on 12 and 17 but recovered them with birdies on 15 and 18.
“It was tough enough out there. A lot more bouncier than last year. You really have to hit the shots. Fairways have a lot of run-off area. Happy enough. It’s a marathon not a sprint. So just keep myself in there going into the next few days,” said Lawlor.
Lawlor hasn’t won since claiming the inaugural G4D Open here last year but it’s a golf course he loves and knows he can produce a low number over the next two days.
“I love this place. Good feelings around here. Obviously I won last year but feel like I hit it pretty well off the tee. Like you have to hit it well off the tee here. Greens are very hard to putt on. Missed a lot of putts today. Could have been probably 4- or 5-under if I holed my fair share but happy enough to start.”
England’s Popert leads on four-under after a 68 and has dominated the disability golf scene over the last couple of seasons, often getting the better of Lawlor in some big events but the Carton House member is determined to put up a fight to hold on to his title.
“Like 4-under out there is super shooting, incredible. He does have to put it on for three days. Yeah, 4-under is great shooting, but I feel like I have that in me with tomorrow. I was happy with the under par round.”
Conor Stone carded a five-over 77 which he did well to carve out after finding himself four-over through five holes.
Paul O’Kelly is seven-over through 12 holes while Fiona Gary carded an 82.
Scoring HERE
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