Egan best of Irish as King's Cup tees off in Spain
Keith Egan. Picture: Pat Cashman

Keith Egan. Picture: Pat Cashman

Carton House’s Keith Egan opened with a two-over 74 to lead the Irish challenge after the opening round of the Copa de Su Majestad El Rey at Real Club de Golf El Prat near Terrassa in Barcelona.

The Irish international made three birdies and five bogeys to share 21st on two-over in the race to make the top 32 who contest the matchplay stages from Friday.

Live scoring

Irish Amateur Close champion Hugh Foley from Royal Dublin carded a four-over 76, Anthony Carr a 77, Eoin Sullivan 79, Michael Young 80 and David Shiel 84.

Denmark’s Niclas Regner shot a 69 to lead by a shot from Spain’s Luis Massaveu.

Four Irishmen have won this prestigious title — Philip Walton (1981), Michael Quirke (1987), Darren Clarke (1990) and Reeve Whitson (2013).