McNamara starts well at Alps Tour Q-School; Clarke trails in Thailand

Rory McNamara. Picture www.golffile.ie

Alps Tour — Headfort's Rory McNamara was three off the lead after opening with a a one under 70 at Stage One of the Alps Tour's Q-School at La Cala in Spain.

The former North and West of Ireland champion was three shots off the lead and tied for fifth at the resort's Europa Course, one of three venues used for Stage One where Ciaran Lavery (84) and Brian Sweeney (88) were near the back of the field at the same venue. Scores

On the Asia Course, Athlone amateur Sean Doyle was 55th after a first round 81 while on the America Course, Seve Ballesteros’ son, Javier, who turned pro a few weeks ago, shot 77 and Ryder Cup star Costantino Rocca’s son, Francesco an 83

A total of 28 players will go through to next week's Final Stage from each of the three venues.

Asian Tour — Darren Clarke was six shots off the lead following round one of the Thailand Championship on three over after an opening round of 75.

Thanyakon Khrongpha, runner up to Padraig Harrington in last weekend’s Indonesia Open, shot a first round 69 to share the lead with Australia’s Marcus Fraser, Richard Lee of Canada and Lu Wei-chih of Taiwan. 

Live scoring

Scott Hend of Australian, England’s Lee Westwood and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit of Thailand were a stroke further back on two under par with Martin Kaymer on 71.

Clarke was tied for 54th with Victor Dubuisson while Masters champion Bubba Watson struggled to a 76.