Waterville's David Higgins and Elm Park's Dara Lernihan shared top spot at the Malahide Pro-Am on Friday.

The duo carded three under par rounds of 69 at the tournament which is supported by 1995 Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton and raises funds for the St Francis Hospice.

Five players tied for second. Gerry Burke (Royal Curragh), Damien McGrane, Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny), Michael McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) and Brendan McCarroll (Narin & Portnoo) all signing for rounds of one under 71.

Higgins carded six birdies in total, but also recorded a bogey at his opening hole of the day, the 10th and a double-bogey seven at the par five 18th.
Lernihan went to the turn in level par 36 with a bogey at the third offset by a birdie at the ninth.

He clicked into gear on the back nine, with birdies at the 11th, 13th, 14th and 17th but a bogey at the 18th saw him home in three under 33.

Shane Jenkinson (St Margaret's) guided his amateur partners to success in the team event with a stunning 97 points.

The two-day Heritage Challenge starts on Saturday. A prize fund of €50,000 has attracted 55 professionals to the event which will also support the charitable efforts of the Seve Ballesteros Foundation.

A gala dinner and charity auction in aid of the Foundation will take place at the conclusion of play on Sunday. Items donated for auction include a fourball at Royal Pedrena Golf Club, a visit to the Seve trophy room in Seve’s house and a sculpture of Seve’s grip.

Scores

T1 David Higgins  Waterville Golf Links-3F69

T1 Dara Lernihan  Elm Park Golf Club-3F69

T3 Gerry Burke  Royal Curragh Golf Club-1F71

T3 Damien McGrane-1F71

T3 Jimmy Bolger  Kilkenny Golf Club-1F71

T3 Michael McDermott  Pure Golf Leopardstown-1F71

T3 Brendan McCarroll  Narin & Portnoo Golf Club-1F71

T8 Gary Chambers  Killymoon Golf ClubEF72

T8 Peter Jones  Coollattin Golf ClubEF72

T10 John Murray  Malahide Golf Club+1F73

T10 Mark Whelan  Castlewarden Golf & Country Cl+1F73

T10 Wayne O'Callaghan  Fernhill Golf & Country Club+1F73

T10 Simon Thornton+1F73

T10 Mark Staunton  Delgany Golf Club+1F73

T10 David Ryan  Cahir Park Golf Club+1F73

T10 Noel Murray  Massereene Golf Club+1F73

T10 Michael McGeady  Foyle Golf Centre+1F73

T18 John Dwyer  Ashbourne Golf Club+2F74

T18 Brendan Walton  Island Golf Club+2F74

T18 Damian Mooney  Nevada Bobs Belfast+2F74

T21 Andy Hogan  Edmondstown Golf Club+3F75

T21 Brian Doheny  Mount Juliet Golf Club+3F75

T21 Mark O'Mahony  Titleist National Fitting Cent+3F75

T21 Brian McCormack  Mullingar Golf Club+3F75

T21 Ciaran Molloy  Blackwood Golf Centre+3F75

T21 Christopher Carvill  Belvoir Park Golf Club+3F75

T21 Neil O'Briain  Old Conna Golf Club+3F75

T21 Glen Robinson+3F75

T29 Patrick Devine  Royal Dublin Golf Club+4F76

T29 Patrick Geraghty  Druids Glen Golf Club+4F76

T29 Joe Dillon  Headfort Golf Club+4F76

T29 Scott Wilson  Co. Louth Golf Club+4F76

T33 Dan Hinds  City of Derry Golf Club+5F77

T33 Tim Rice  Limerick Golf Club+5F77

T33 Seamus Clinton+5F77

T36 Shane Franklin+6F78

T36 Colin Starrett  GUI National Academy+6F78

T36 Mark Murphy  McGuirks Golf+6F78

T36 Peter O'Hagan  Luttrellstown Castle Golf Club+6F78

T36 Kenny Fahey  GUI National Academy+6F78

T41 John Dignam  Slade Valley Golf Club+7F79

T41 Daniel Beattie  Deer Park Hotel Golf & Spa+7F79

T41 David Foley  Dromoland Castle GC+7F79

44 Ross Young  Carr Golf Centre at Spawell+8F80

T45 Philip Ring  McGuirks Golf+9F81

T45 Shane Jenkinson  St Margaret's Golf & Country C+9F81

47 Cormac Power  St Helen's Bay Golf Club+10F82

T48 Mark Sutton  Hollywood Lakes Golf Club+11F83

T48 Kevin McGrath  Birr Golf Shop & Driving Range+11F83

50 Ian St.John  Rush Golf Club+13F85