McLeary on a high after Kenya opener

CHALLENGE TOUR: Jamie McLeary fired a four-under-par 67 in the first round of the Barclays Kenya Open to sit three shots off the lead held by Dane Morten Orum Madsen.

The 30-year-old Scot continued his fine form from three weeks ago, when he finished tied eighth in the Pacific Rubiales Colombia Classic in his first Challenge Tour appearance of the season.

McLeary said: “I teed off from the tenth and had birdies at the 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th, fourth and ninth, but I bogeyed the first and the eighth. You need a lot less club because of the altitude, so it’s challenging. The greens are tricky but I managed to hole a couple of nice putts.”

Fellow Scots Chris Doak and Scott Henry opened with one over par 72s, Jack Doherty signed for a 71, Andrew McArthur carded a 73 and Gavin Dear had a 76.