Alan Lockhart in the mix

LADYBANK'S Alan Lockhart is leading the Scottish contingent after the first round of the Glenmuir PGA Professional Championship at The Belfry.

As Irish-based Robert Giles set the pace with a four-under 68, Lockhart's 71 over the PGA National Course earned him a share of 11th spot in the 78,000 event.

The Scot bagged a hat-trick of birdies from the fourth then two more at the 11th and 13th but dropped shots at 14th and 17th.

The event will form Russell Weir's PGA Cup team to face the Americans in California later in the year and Craig Matheson, who played in the match at The Carrick two years ago, also made a decent start. The Falkirk Tryst pro signed for a level-par 72 to sit in a tie for 20th.

Saunton-based Albert Mackenzie had a 73, two less than Drumpellier's Ian Taylor, with Gary Silcock, the Scot who is the director of golf at The Belfry, carding a 76 along with Euan Hogarth (Peebles) Norman Huguet (Musselburgh).

Giles, the pro at Greenore Golf Club in County Louth, leads by a stroke from Cameron Clark (Moor Hall) and Chris Gill (Exeter Golf & Country Club).

Defending champion David Mortimer was one of seven players, including two-time runner up Andrew Barnett (North Wales Golf Range), at two under.