Lee happy with good start in Italy

CRAIG Lee was pleased with his “great start” in the Challenge Tour’s season-ending Apulia San Domenico Grand Final in southern Italy.

The 34-year-old, who is lying 12th in the rankings and is aiming to climb into the top ten, opened with a two-under-par 69 to lie in a share of 18th in the 45-man field. He is three shots behind four co-leaders, with Chris Doak, the only other Scot in the field, five off the pace after an opening 71.

“I didn’t miss too many greens, but I didn’t hit too many great chip shots and I’m happy with two-under – it’s a great start,” said Lee, who only has around £700 to make up on the player in tenth spot.

The Stirling man started with a bogey before picking up birdies at the sixth and eighth holes as he went out in 33. He also began the back nine by dropping a shot before bagging birdies at the 14th and 17th. “It’s too early to start working out what’s going to happen, who’s going to do what, but as long as I’m there or thereabouts then I’ve always got a chance,” added Lee.

Italian Andrea Pavan shares the lead with Frenchman Julien Guerrier, Spaniard Jorge Campillo and Portugal’s Ricardo Santos.