Athlone's Colm Moriarty got off to a flying five-under-par start at the European Challenge Tour's Texbond Open to lie just two shots off the early pace set by Sweden's Fredrik Widmark at the Garda Golf in Italy.
David Higgins of Waterville and Belfast's Michael Hoey are just one behind Moriarty, who leads the Irish challenge after a great opening round that consisted of six birdies, 11 pars and just a single dropped shot.
Higgins and Hoey, meanwhile, who are currently lying in second and 15th on the Challenge Tour Rankings both posted opening rounds of four under 68, while, the other Irishman in the field - Limerick's Tim Rice - carded a four over 76.
