The Island’s Paul McBride opened with an eight-under 63 to lead after the first stage of the Korn Ferry Tour Q-School at Kannapolis in North Carolina.

The former Walker Cup player made an eagle and seven birdies to lead by two strokes from a three-strong group in the race to make the top 20 and ties who progress to the second stage. Scores

Conor Purcell is tied 25th on two-under after a 69 with Kevin Phelan’s 72 leading him tied 43rd on level par

In West Palm Beach, Ruaidhri McGee is tied for second, two shots off the lead, after opening with a five-under 67 in his First Stage qualifier at The Breakers Rees Jones where Rosslare’s Paul Murphy shot 73 to share 50th. Scores