Good Day For Mark! - 23/11/2007

MARK DAY produced his best round of the year to take an early lead at The Whittlebury Park International Open.

The Whipsnade Park golfer dropped just one shot in a superb round of 64 to take a two-shot lead at -7 following the opening morning's play in Towcester.

Day is clear of Mark Smith, Graeme Clark and Simon Lilly, the 2004 PGA EuroPro Tour Champion who is making his first appearance of the year.

That trio also just dropped one shot each, firing in six birdies apiece on their way to rounds of 66.

Jason Kelly, Glenn Joyner and Phil Rowe are sat on -4, with Steven Cowle and Gerlou Roux a further shot back.

Order of Merit leader Simon Robinson and Robert McGuirk - who won the event at nearby Collingtree Park in May - are among six players sat on -2 following a wet first morning.

Robinson and Smith were joined by fellow high-fliers Phil Worthington and Daniel Gaunt - who both shot level par for their opening round - in visiting the Silverstone motor racing circuit on Thursday afternoon for a special track day.

A further update will be issued at the close of the first round.