Stars Shine In Suffolk Sun - 13/06/2007

JOHN MORGAN and Michael McDermott hold a one-shot lead following the opening round of The MCP Classic at Ufford Park in Suffolk.

Irishman McDermott opened the PGA EuroPro Tour event with back-to-back bogeys but landed seven birdies to move out to -5 before dropping a shot at his penultimate hole.

He shares the overnight lead at -4 with Morgan, who admitted that he entered the event inspired by Europe's recent Ryder Cup success.

Morgan, who has PGA Tour and European Tour experience, has targeted a place in the 2010 Ryder Cup team at the Celtic Manor.

A second win of the year on the PGA EuroPro Tour would help boost him even further, although there is plenty of competition to come over the remaining two rounds.

Ireland's Noel Fox - a former Walker Cup player - landed five birdies in an opening round of 67, and he is joined at -3 by Sean Whiffin and Lee Gauthier.

Kevin Harper - another 2006 PGA EuroPro Tour winner - is sat at -2 alongside Nathan Treacher and local player Ian Ellis.

Simon Robinson, a treble winner on last year's PGA EuroPro Tour, is among the group a shot below par, with Daniel Gaunt - who sits second on this year's Order of Merit - lurking at level par.