Forrest Little's Eoin Arthurs fired a six-under-par 66 to take the clubhouse lead in the first round of the East of Ireland Amateur Championship at Co Louth.
With half the field still to finish, the 24-year-old from Swords is three strokes clear of Walker Cup star Jonnie Caldwell of Clandeboye and Belvoir Park's Harry Diamond, who shot three-under-par 69s.
The Curragh's Paul O'Hanlon had a hole-in-one at the 207-yard 17th in a 70 and is tied for fourth with Castlecomer's Michael Buggy and Elm Park's Niall O'Connor on two-under-par.
With the course playing fast and hard, just 15 of the 78 morning starters broke par with Irish Close and West of Ireland champion Shane Lowry carding a level-par 72 and last year's runner up, Baltray's Simon Ward forced to settle for a one-over 73.
The second round will be played tomorrow with the Championship concluding with 36 holes on Monday.
