Vintage Round From Cork Star - 09/12/2007

IRISHMAN Padraig Dooley leads by one shot following the first round of The PokerMillion.Com Classic at Maylands GC.

Dooley holds a one-shot lead at the Essex course going into Friday's second round, having benefitted from a opening nine holes.

Starting on the tenth tee, Dooley hit three birdies in his first four holes before a birdie at the 16th was followed by a brilliant eagle to put him in prime position at six-under-par.

A bogey at the first was to be the only shot he would drop during the round, and two further birdies made his extra day's preparation pay off, after flying from Cork early for this tournament.

Terry Nicholls, representing Swallow Farleigh Court, sits a shot behind Dooley after also dropping just one shot on Thursday, with three players sitting a further stroke back at -5.

They include Warren Bennett, the former European Tour player who is making his first competitive appearance for two years.

While injury may have prevented him playing tournament golf, the practice he has had at the teaching clinic he has opened at Princes GC proved invaluable as he shot eight birdies in his 66.

Eight players produced rounds of 67 on Thursday, while an impressive total of 52 shot -1 or better, despite an hour's break during the afternoon to allow a thunder storm to pass over the Romford course.

"We had a call from Dean Snowdon in the Met Office at Stansted, who told us that a heavy thunder storm had just passed them and was heading in our direction," explained Tournament Director Kevin Feeney.

"We made the decision to bring the players in immediately, and that paid off when he heavens opened - just after the last group arrived!

"The Met Office are a vital contact for us at all the events, and early warnings such as these are vital for protecting the players as well as ensuring the highest possible quality of tournament."