Moriarty gets off to a positive start in Monaghan

 

Athlone golfer Colm Moriarty and Paul Doherty shared the lead on three under par at the Kingspan Concra Wood Open after each shot 69 on the opening day of the 888poker.com PGA EuroPro Tour event.

The pair were one clear of the six golfers who share third place on two under at the par-72 course in Castleblayey, Co Monaghan.

Moriarty, who plays out of Glasson Golf Club in Co. Westmeath, started his round on the tenth and turned home two under after birdies at 15 and 17.

A four on the par-five first took him to three under and he closed out the remainder of his round to par, matching Doherty’s 69 to share the lead ahead of day two.

Scotsman Doherty (Vale Hotel) carded birdies on the first, fifth and 11th to sign for an opening-round 69.

Last year’s Kingspan Concra Wood Open winner Billy Hemstock (Teignmouth GC) finished with a two-under 70, leaving him as one of six players just one stroke off the lead.

Irishmen Ruaidhri McGee (Rosapenna), Neil O’Briain (Old Conna Golf Club) and Michael McGeady wee also two under after day one, as are Scotland’s Jordan Findlay (Paul Lawrie Golf Centre) and England’s Alex Belt.

The start of play on day two of the the Kingspan Concra Wood Open was delayed by one hour due to fog.

A two-hour highlights package of the event will be broadcast on Sky Sports at 7pm on Tuesday, August 6, repeated on Wednesday, August 7.