Lucan golfer Richard O'Donovan was tied for the lead in the first round of qualifying for the British Amateur Championship this evening, after a two-under-par 70 on the Prince's Course in Kent.
O’Donovan was level par for his front nine after one birdie and a bogey, but carded birdies at 12 and 13 to come home in 34.
He will complete the 36-hole qualifying process over the Royal Cinque Ports layout tomorrow, teeing off at 7.22am.
Recently crowned Irish Amateur Close champion Cormac Sharvin opened with a level par 72.
The 20-year-old Ardglass golfer could have posted an even more impressive score.
Standing on the 17th tee he was three under for his round but a bogey on the penultimate hole and a double bogey on the last saw him sign for a 72.
There are 20 Irish amateurs hoping to qualify for the matchplay stages of a tournament won last year by Northern Ireland's Alan Dunbar.
Also at Prince's Reeve Whitson (Mourne) shot a 73, Robbie Cannon (Balbriggan), Chris Selfridge (Moyola Park)and Andrew Hogan (Newlands) each managed 76, Rory McNamara (Headfort) a 77, Matthew McAlpin (Royal Portrush) a 78 and Gary Hurley (West Waterford) a 79.
Over at Royal Cinque Ports, Rathsallagh's Jack Hume shot a superb level par 71, Richard Bridges (Stackstown) and Aaron Kearney (Castlerock) posted two over 73s, Portmarnock's James Fox had a 74 and Carton House's Shane McGlynn a 75.
Harry Diamond (Belvoir Park), Nicky Grant (Knock), Geoff Lenehan(Portmarnock) shot five-over-par 76s, while Brian Casey of Headfort and Dermot McElroy of Ballymena shot 78s.
There are 288 golfers vying for 64 places ahead of Wednesday’s matchplay.
