PGA Europro Tour — Ballymena's Dermot McElroy got his Europro Tour season off to a flyer when he fired a three under 68 in the opening round of the Lookers Championship to lie just a shot off the lead.

The former West of Ireland champion is alone in second behind Wrag Barn's Matt Mumford at Close House with The Island's Gavin Moynihan tied for third with a 68.

Irish golf has 11 in the field with Niall Kearney and Jonny Caldwell tied sixth after 69s and Brian McElhinney one over after a 72.

The Lookers Championship, Close House (Colt Course, Par 71)

Full Leaderboard

• 1 England Matt Mumford (Wrag Barn) 66  
• 2 Dermot McElroy (Ballymena) 67 
• T3 Gavin Moynihan (ISM) 68 
• T6 Niall Kearney (The Royal Dublin) 69 
• T6 Jonathan Caldwell (Clandeboye) 69 
• T49 Brian McElhinney (North West) 72 
• T70 Reeve Whitson (Royal County Down) 73 
• T91 Brian Casey (Blackstar) 74 
• T105 Tim Rice (Limerick) 75 
• T119 Joe Dillon (Headfort) 76 
• T119 Stephen Grant (Mount Juliet) 76 
• T132 David Carey (Unatt) 77