Moriarty Shines On Tough First Day - 27/04/2007

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COLM Moriarty excelled on a tough opening day of the 2007 PGA EuroPro Tour season at Wensum Valley in Norfolk.

Irishman Moriarty hit a fine -4 score of 68 to lead the field by two shots as the windy conditions and hard playing surface caused numerous competitors to struggle.

Only eight players had rounds under par, but it sets up what should be a nerve-racking second round as only the top 50 players and ties will make the cut.

Moriarty hit birdies on the fifth and eighth but also ended day one strongly by two more birdies at the 16th and 18th both of which were par four holes.

Three players are tied in second and these are Christopher Hanson of Huddersfield, Graeme Clark, who represents the Special Steel Group and Irishman Patrick Devine.

Englishman Daryl Ley, who had originally been one of the reserves for this event but got his chance as other players withdrew, was one of four players on -1. The rest were Tim Butler (Newbury), James Ruebotham (Welwyn Garden City), Simon Robinson (The Wynard Club), Robert Perrett (Clevedon GC) and David Fisher (Ellesborough).

The EuroPro Tour is held over 16 events and whoever finishes in first place at each competition will win £10,000.