Paul Shields off to blazing start at EuroPro school

Playing at De Vere Oulton Hall, near Leeds, the Kirkhill player shot a four-under-par 66 to open up a two-shot lead over a chasing pack that includes Edinburgh man Greg Nicolson.

Shields, a member of the Scottish side that won last year’s Home Internationals in Ayrshire, had five birdies on his card, including three in a row from the seventh.

His only blemish was a dropped shot at the 14th but that failed to take the shine off an impressive effort from Shields, who spent time in America over the winter trying to keep his game sharp.

Nicolson also had cause to feel content with his start. The Mortonhall man – he holds the course record at the Capital course – carded a 68 that contained an eagle and five birdies as he earned a share of second spot with English duo Richard Law and Tom Rastall.

Panmure’s Christopher McMaster shot a 71 to sit in the top ten heading into today’s second and final round.

Graeme Brown (Montrose) and Andrew Rollo (Moray) both signed 72s, one less than Ian Redford (New Club St Andrews) and Steven Mackie (Dunnikier Park).

However, former British Boys’ champion Jordan Findlay is down in a tie for 68th after he had to settle for a nine-over 79.

At Stoke-by-Nayland, former Wigan midfielder Jimmy Bullard is in with a chance of progressing to next week’s final stage at Frilford Heath.

Now a professional golfer after having to retire from football due to injury, he opened with a three-over 75 to sit in a tie for 25th.

Warren Bennett, a European Tour winner at Gleneagles in 1999, shares the lead there with fellow Englishman Greg Payne after they carded matching 69s.

At The Players’ Club in Bristol, the third of the venues being used for the first stage, play was unable to be completed on schedule after the start was delayed due to frost.

Leading in the clubhouse was Englishman Benjamin Martin after he carded a two-under 68.