The Irish PGA team of David Higgins, Simon Thornton and Mark Staunton share second place after the opening round of the 2017 International Team Championship at Costa Navarino, Greece.
The trio sit on -1, tied with Holland and both are five shots adrift of the Scottish team of Chris Currie, Greig Hutcheon and Paul McKechnie who lead the tournament on 136 (-6).
Waterville man Higgins compiled the best Irish score on day one, a three under par 68, with Staunton (Delgany GC) carding a 77 and Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) a 73.
“It is a very interesting course,” said Higgins of the Bernhard Langer designed Dunes Course. “It is not overly long but it is very important that you are accurate with your second shots. If you are one yard the wrong side of the flag birdie chances can turn into bogeys.”
“Obviously we would like to be a little closer to the leaders, but we are still in second place. A couple of good ones now and we will be right back in it.”
The best two individual scores each day from the team of three count towards the overall team score. The 72-hole tournament will finish on Saturday.
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