Quartet Start With A Bang - 18/08/2007

FOUR players share the lead following the opening round of the Bartercard Stoke by Nayland International Open after beginning the PGA EuroPro Tour event with rounds of 67.

The tournament saw a high quality start, with 57 players recording a score of par or better on Tuesday at the Essex course.

David Jones, John Wells, Guy Woodman and Michael Skelton were the early leaders, recording five-under-par rounds of 67.

Wynyard player Skelton hit six birdies and an eagle in his round, while City of Derry's Jones dropped just one shot and matched that total of six birdies.

Beverley's in-form star Wells and Stoke Park's Woodman recorded seven birdies each, with the latter's only slip being a double bogey at the 17th.

David James hit two birdies and an eagle in an excellent 68 to be among five players tied at -4 following the opening round.

He was joined a shot off the lead by Mark Davis, Mark Ramsdale, Phil Rowe and Daniel Wood.

Daniel Greenwood and Neil Oakley are a further stroke back at -3, with 18 players opening with a 70.

The 2005 winner, Paul Curry, is among eight players sat on one-under-par.