Mortimer one ahead at Irish PGA

David Mortimer is attached to the Newlands club

Newlands pro David Mortimer was the surprise leader after the first round of this year's Sherry Fitzgerald Irish PGA Championship at Druids Heath.

The former Connacht interprovincial's three-under-par 68 left him one ahead of Leslie Walker and Robert Giles.

Walker looked set to lead after being four under at the turn but he was hindered by a triple-bogey seven on 12.

Ryder Cup heroes Eamonn Darcy and Philip Walton shot 71 and 72 while Peter Martin was top Ulstermen on 72.

Sherry Fitzgerald Irish PGA first round

68 D Mortimer (Newlands)

69 L Walker (Dundalk); R Giles (Greenore)

70 S Fitzpatrick (Powerscourt); E Doyle (Heritage)

71 E Darcy (Unattached); J Dignam (Slade Valley)

72 E Tracey (Ballina); N Manchip (GUI National Academy); G Burke (Curragh); D Ryan (Cahir Park); P Martin (Belvoir Park); P Walton (Quinns of Bagnelstown)

73 M O'Mahony (Ashbourne); J Greenaway (Banbridge); K Morris (Fota Island); J Pitkanen (Unattached); J Bolger (Kilkenny); M Kynes (Greenore); S Thornton (Royal Co Down); L Owens (Elm Park); P O'Hagan (Unattached)

74 J Murray (Hollystown); F Howley (Carton House); P Hanna (Fortwilliam); B Trainor (Bray); E Brady (Clontarf); G Madden (Galway Golf Range); D Gleeson (Unattached); J Murray (Malahide); J Foster (Malone)

75 G Byrne (Hermitage); G Loughrey (Roganstown); J Dwyer (Ashbourne); D Hayes (Dungarvan); K O'Donnell (Newlands); M Ward (P&M Golf Superstore Ltd); S Hamill (Lisburn)

76 S Deegan (Island); M Collins (Fermoy); R Burns (Newlands); D Mooney (Nevada Bobs Belfast); M Collins (Mallow Golf Range); W O'Callaghan (Carrigdhoun Golf Range); B Hamill (Barry Hamill Golf Academy); R Creamer (Factory Golf Store); P Jones (Coollattin), D MacFarlane (East Cork); B McGovern (Headfort); C Mallon (Ballyliffin); P Gittens (Corrstown)

77 D Byrne (Hermitage); R Collins (Monkstown); K McGivern (Warrenpoint); P Farrell (Ardglass); G Robinson (Coollattin); E O'Flanagan (Heritage); S Whelan (Athenry) M Twitchett (Hilton Templepatrick); G Wardlow (Dunmurry); I Kerr (Carlow Golf Range)

78 R Jackson (Old Conna); J Roche (Wexford); P Gray (Holywood); K Coveney (Killarney); K Foy (Unattached); M Staunton (Black Bush); B Smyth (Ardee)

79 M O'Shea (Callan Golf Club); I St John (Limerick County); W Ramsay (Knockbracken Golf Centre); S Duffy (Seamus Duffy Golf Academy); C Moriarty (Donaghadee); E McEneaney (Knightsbrook); K Padayachee (Unattached); P Morgan (Bangor); L Owens (Royal Dublin); D McQuillan (Castlebar); M Burke (Galway Golf Range); G Chambers (Killymoon)

80 C Lyttle (Ballyclare); F Dwyer (Celbridge Driving Range); C Hawe (Charleville); V Teague (Dungannon); G Egan (Naas Driving Range); G Hinds (Royal Dublin); D McIntyre (Bundoran)

81 K Brett (Limerick County); P McClelland (Portadown); R Whitford (Knock); T Mullally (Slieve Russell); D Walker (Foxrock); P Thompson (Powerscourt); B Kelleher (Golf Works Cork); S Donnelly (Castlehume); Z Rouiller (Beech Park); M Heinemann (Skellig Bay)

82 B Murphy (Unattached); W Noble (County Cavan); P O'Boyle (Bandon); H Jackson (Donabate); G Henry (Druids Glen); P Morris (Wexford); T Higgins (TH Golf)

83 H Byrne (Leopardstown); L Bowler (Wexford); K Dorrian (Bright Castle); G Mercer (Carrickfergus); K Holmes (Greystones); P McGuirk (Co Louth)

84 K McGrath (Birr Golf Shop & Driving Range); L Hynes (Rathsallagh); L McCool (Slieve Russell); G Fairweather (Bradsows Brae Golf Centre); G Smyth (Headfort)

86 R Daly (Newlands); G Kavanagh (Delgany); P Ring (Elm Green)

89 K McLaughlin (Focus Golf)

NR M Sludds (Enniscorthy)