Fox running wild in Northampton - 14/05/2007

Noel Fox and John Bandurak share the lead at the Ivobank PGA EuroPro Tour event at Collingtree Park in Northampton.

Fox (Team Ireland - MMI) struck seven birdies to shoot five under for his first round in the third event of the Tour this year. Dropped shots on the par three's at five and 12 were the only dark spots for the Irishman on a sunny day in Northampton, while Bandurak (Bloxwich) found the front nine to his liking, picking up four of his six birdies of the day there.

Michael Hempstock continued his solid start to the season, picking up an eagle at the ninth - his last after starting at the tenth - to shoot four under for his opening round. The Doncaster man came joint second in the opening event at Wensum Valley and is in a good position ahead of Thursday's second round to go one better here. Fox's fellow countryman Alan Murray joins Hempstock at four under, with Eaton's Dale Marmion picking up four birdies on his back nine to join the group a shot behind the leaders. Graham Gordon (SWM Golf Management) started and finished with birdies to also card four under.

James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City) was well in the running after picking up birdies at 14, 15 and 16, starting on the tenth. He dropped a shot at 17 but bounced back well, picking up shots on the first, second and fourth holes, but he dunked his ball in the water to double bogey the par three fifth, picking up a birdie on six and rescuing par after finding the water on nine - his last - to finish at four under.

Play on the second day begins at 7.30am and you can follow the scoring live at www.europrotour.com

Date Posted: 14/05/08, 7pm