Tour round up: Grant, Casey and Murphy make birdies
Challenge Tour — The Heritage's Stephen Grant fired an eagle and three birdies in a four under 67 to lie just two shots off the lead after the opening round of the Scottish Hydro Challenge at Macdonald Spey Valley Golf Club.
The former footballer, 37, is tied for 11th place behind England's Jason Barnes and Chile's Mark Tullo, who carded six under 65s to lead by one from an eight-strong chasing pack.
Rathmore's Alan Dunbar is tied for 30th after thanks to a two under 70 with Gareth Shaw 66th after a level par 71.
67 today in first round of @Challenge_Tour 2 shots back from leaders solid start long way to go#GolfIsNotEasy
— stephen grant (@soccer2golf) June 26, 2014Co-leader Tullo overcame a nightmare 30-hour journey having only arrived in the stunning mountain-side resort of Aviemore at 10pm the previous evening, having fallen foul of the chaos caused by an air traffic controller strike in France.
Alps Tour — Three birdies in his last four holes helped Headfort's Brian Casey continue his good run of form as he opened with a three under 68 in the Alps de Las Castllas event in Spain.
The Meath man is tied for third, just two strokes off the lead held by England's Tom Sherreard and Spain's Borja Etchart at Golf Club Los Angeles de San Rafael near Madrid.
Scores
Ballyliffin's Brendan McCarroll — third in the Order of Merit — had a mixed day, firing five birdies, two bogeys, a double bogey and a triple in a two over 73 that left him tied for 50th.
PGA Europro Tour — Waterville's Mark Murphy was the only Irishman to make the cut in the Buildbase Open at Frilford Heath.
The Kerryman had five birdies in an immaculate, five under par 67 on the Blue Course to go into the final round tied for 13th place, six strokes behind leader James Robinson.
Other Irish:
MC Richard Weldon Killeen Castle Golf Club +3
MC Aaron Kearney West Middlesex Golf Club +4
MC Tim Rice Limerick Golf Club +6
RTD David Rawluk The Island Golf Club
