Laskey on the mark at East Sussex National - 20/08/2008

Mark Laskey shot an opening round 67 to lead by one shot at five under after day one of the Partypoker.com Players Championship at East Sussex National.

Laskey (The Shire) started on the back nine and went into the turn one under par, but benefitted from a burst of four birdies from the fifth to the eighth without dropping a shot to edge ahead of a group of four at four under.

Jamie Harris (Nevill) had a similar round to Laskey, one under after starting on the back and recording four birdies on the front, but he picked up a bogey at the fourth to shoot 68. Joining him at four under are James Mason (Rotherham Golf Club), Andrew Pestell (Chelmsford Golf Club) and James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City Golf Club).

Steven Capper, Ben Scott and Michael McDermott are tied together at three under (69) while six players shot 70 to go into the second round at two under par.

Order of Merit leader Noel Fox (MMI) and the man in second place Dale Marmion (Eaton) are off the pace after playing together today - both men hampered by double bogeys in their rounds. Fox was two under after 16 holes with four birdies and two bogeys up to that point when he doubled the 17th and finished level for the day (72). Marmion's double came on the first hole and picked up another bogey at the fifth to go through the out three over, and although he recorded birdies at ten, 14 and 18, two bogeys down the back left last week's winner at Whittlebury Park plenty of work to do.

The second round begins at 7.30am tomorrow and live scoring is available by clicking on the Score Updates on the homepage.

Date Posted: 20/08/08, 8.30pm