Higgins takes narrow advantage into day two at Slieve Russell
David Higgins fired a three under par 69 to take a narrow lead on the opening day of the Slieve Russell Masters Pro-Am.
Higgins leads Neil O'Briain (Old Conna GC) by a shot with Raymond Burns (Lisheen Springs), Eamonn Brady (Clontarf) and Keith Shannon two shots back on one under par.
Waterville professional Higgins struggled in the early stages of his round, dropping shots at the third and fifth but a birdie at the par five ninth finally got him heading in the right direction.
Out in one over 37, Higgins played the back nine in four under 32 which included a hat-trick of birdies at the 11th, 12th and 13th.
Massereene's Noel Murray leads the way in the team event with 92 points, one point ahead of Eamonn Brady (Clontarf).
Slieve Russell Masters Pro-Am. Slieve Russell GC (Par 72)
69 David Higgins (Waterville GC) 69
70 Neil O'Briain (Old Conna GC) 70
71 Raymond Burns (Lisheen Springs GC), Eamonn Brady (Clontarf GC), K Shannon 71
72 Philip Walton 72
73 Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC) 73; Brendan McGovern (Headfort GC); Chris Carvill (Belvoir Park) 73
74 Noel Murray (Massereene GC), James Quinlivan (Mullingar GC), J Dillon (Headfort GC), D Mortimer (Galway GC), D Mooney (Ballyliffin GC), C Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance Ltd), D Sugrue (Killarney Golf & Fishing Club) 74
