Dearden Makes Early Impression - 04/10/2007

MATTHEW DEARDEN is the early clubhouse leader at the 2006 PGA EuroPro Tour Qualifying School Final Stage, carding a six-under-par 67 on the Red Course for his opening round.

The Vale Hotel golfer hit six birdies and an eagle on the first day of the 54-hole tournament to move into an early lead, with only a double bogey at the seventh spoiling his card.

He is one shot clear of Neil Rowlands, who dropped just one shot on the Red Course in an opening round 68, with Mike Unwin and Adam Frayne a shot further back. Sam Robinson sits at -9 following 14 holes on the Red Course, with an eagle at the 321yd 14th - when he chipped in after being given a free drop when his ball landed in a burrowing animal hole - putting him clear of the field.

On the Blue Course, only Peter Turner (The Vale) and Danny Sturgeon (TGM Custom Golf) broke par from the early starters, hitting two-under-par rounds of 79.

Scott Jackson, Brady Sherwood, Michael Watson and Max Newman all carded a level par scoreline for the opening round.

Players will swap to play the opposite course on Wednesday, with the top 120 making the cut to Thursday's final round.

Play on Tuesday was delayed due to a heavy overnight frost, with the expected Round One finishing time now 7.30pm.