Alex Maguire is just one shot off the lead after the opening round of the Clutch Pro Tour’s Rapsodo Championship at St Mellion Golf Resort in Cornwall thanks to a three-under 69.
The Laytown & Bettystown man was part of the afternoon wave on day one and started on the 10th. Back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 got the ball rolling, and he played steady golf to make the turn at -2.
A bogey on one was the only blemish on his card, and he responded by birdieing two and four to end the day in a five-way tie for third.
Tyler Hogarty, who is based at the host venue, utilised his local knowledge to produce a two-under 70, as did Robert Brazill who had a mixed day that included four birdies, an eagle, two bogeys and a double.
Noel Murray on +1 is inside the projected cutline with a shot to spare, but Paul McBride, winner of the second event of the campaign, is on the number in a tie for 47th with the top 50 and ties advancing to the third and final round.
John Murphy, fresh off a victory in his last Clutch Tour start and a solid performance at the HotelPlanner Tour’s Danish Challenge, is one shot outside the cutmark at +3 alongside Luke O’Neill and Marc Boucher, while Daniel Mulligan (+4), Tom Dowdall (+6), and Rory Williamson (+9) all need to do something impressive if they’re to see final round action.
The lead is held by two Englishmen in Liam Murray and Joe Hopkins at -4.
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