Battling 75 for Thomas Mulligan at Sage Valley Invitational
Thomas Mulligan plays to the 12th. He'd miss the green but chip in for a two. Picture: Ryan Frazer/Agora Golf

Thomas Mulligan plays to the 12th. He'd miss the green but chip in for a two. Picture: Ryan Frazer/Agora Golf

County Louth's Thomas Mulligan made three birdies in a battling three-over 75 in the prestigious Sage Valley Invitational just outside Augusta.

The Jacques Leglise star finished the opening day tied for 34th in the top qualify international field, where Australian's Cameron John made six birdies in a five under par 67 share the lead with Joaquim Niemann of Chile, who had five birdies on a perfect card.

Scores

Japan's Kaito Onishi is third after a 68 with Brandon Gillis, Cole Hammer and Adrien Pendaries of France tied for fourth after 70s.

Mulligan birdied the par-five fourth but bogeyed the fifth, eighth, ninth and 10th to slip to three over.

He then chipped in for a two at the par-three 12th and birdied the 13th to get back to one-over but bogeyed the 16th and 18th for his 75.