Trio Start Well At Collingtree Park - 25/07/2007

THREE players share the lead at three-under-par following the first day of The PartyPoker.com International Open, the PGA EuroPro Tour event at Collingtree Park GC.

Matthew Richardson, who represents The Buckinghamshire, Enfield's Sean Whiffin and Golf Finance star Ben Welch (pictured)  braved winds of up to 30 miles per hour to edge clear of the field in Northampton.

Highly-rated young star Richardson, in his first year as a professional, hit three birdies in his opening nine holes and added a further at the 17th before dropping a shot on the last for a round of 69.

Welch's only blemish was a bogey at the 14th, which was accompanied by four birdies on his card, while Whiffin dropped just two shots in his round.

Rounds of 70 from Andrew Willey and Daniel Greenwood means that they are one shot behind the leading trio.

Chris Hanson, who lost an eight-hole play-off to James Ruebotham at Mollington last week, was among eight players to begin with a 71, alongside Australian Daniel Gaunt, who is second in the current PGA EuroPro Tour Order of Merit.

Also sat two strokes off the pace are David Clark, David James, Chris Evans, Jason Levermore, Michael Searle and David Price.

Michael Welch, Darren Prosser, Mark Ramsdale, Yasin Ali, Gary Oliver and Neil Walker - already a winner on the 2006 PGA EuroPro Tour - are among the players sat on level par.

Ellesborough's David Fisher, a 2005 winner, is among 13 players sat on one-over-par.

"The winds made things very difficult for the players and the course was playing tough," said Tournament Director Kevin Feeney.

"With 36 players scoring at one-over-par or better, the strength-in-depth on the PGA EuroPro Tour is shining through.

"The weather is expected to improve, so the scores will come down even further and there are two days of top class golf remaining."

The top 50 players, plus ties, following Thursday's second round will progress to the final round on Friday to play for the £40,000 prize fund.

2005 PGA EuroPro Tour Champion Mark Smith, who opened with a 75 on Wednesday, is among the players needing to improve on Thursday to remain in contention.