Galway’s Joe Lyons is just one shot off the lead after the opening round of the European Senior Men’s Championship at Cornelia Golf Club, Turkey.
Lyons shares third place on two-under-par after a round of 70 in which he birdied two of his last three holes to edge into contention.
Lyons breezed through the first eight holes with birdies coming on the 2nd and 8th before hitting a rocky period around the turn where he dropped shots at the ninth and par-5 11th.
A birdie on 15 was cancelled out by a third bogey of the day on 15 before Lyons finished with a flourish to birdie the 16th and 17th.
Sweden’s Michael Ryden and England’s John Kemp lead on three-under.
It was a good start for the Irish overall with 2023 champion Eddie McCormack (Galway) in ashore of sixth place with Stephen Browne (Hermitage) on one-under after rounds of 71.
McCormack had an up and down front nine, mixing three birdies and as many bogeys but the back nine was smoother sailing with eight pars and a birdie on 17.
Jody Fanagan is well in the mix at one-over after an opening round of 73.
The former Walker Cup player opened with eleven straight pars before back to back birdies on 12 and 13. However, he had a sour finish with a bogey at 16 and double bogey at 17.
Karl Bornemann and Shane Kenneally are on four-over with Alan Doherty a shot further back.
Declan O’Neill is plus six while Peter Sheehan is eight-over.
In the women’s competition 2023 winner Alison Taylor is in a share of 14th place on seven-over, six shots off the pace set by Helene Malvy.
Gertie McMullen is plus nine.
Scoring HERE
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