BALLYMENA’S Dermot McElroy lead The IFX Payments Championship after shooting a seven-under par round of 66 at in thee PGA EuroPro Tour’s season opener at Brocket Hall, on Wednesdady.
McElroy, a member of the Great Britain and Ireland winning Walker Cup team at Royal Aberdeen, in 2011, was consistent throughout his first round chalking up seven birdies including on the Palmerston Course’s tricky par five 10th hole – having got to five-under after six holes thanks to an eagle at the third.
Amateur John Gough, from Stoke Park, posted a brilliant six-under to tie for second with Conor O’Neil, from Mearns Castle, Guy Woodman and Silvermere’s Chris Gane.
Charlotte University player Gough – who qualified for the NCAA Regional Finals as individual, but failed to make this month]s NCAA finals in Arkansas which start tomorrow (Friday), had an unblemished round with three birdies on the front and back nine respectively.
Woodman, a former assistant pro at Stoke Park who appeared on the Golf Channel’s Big Break IV back in 2005, put himself in the mix after seven birdies in his round of 67.
Braintree’s 2017 English Amateur Champion Todd Clements, Hayling’s Darren Walkley, and 2016 Brabazon Trophy winner Jamie Bower, from Meltham Golf Club plus Kenwick Park’s former England junior Ashton Turner, all recorded scores of 68 to tie for third.
Robert Burlison, and Jamie Dick – the joint winners of the EuroPro Qualifying School held at Frilford Heath last month, posted rounds of 75 and 76 respectively.
Brocket Hall’s Mark Laskey finished his first round on one-under while clubmate Tom Shadbolt a shot two-over 75.
After Thursday’s second run, the top 40 players and ties will make the cut for Friday’s final round. Follow live scoring here and on the Europro’s Twitter feed.
