Alex Gleeson and Rowan Lester are three strokes off the lead heading into today’s second round at the European Amateur Championship after a good opening 18 holes at Royal Hague, Netherlands.

AIG Irish Close Champion Alex Gleeson will head into the European Nations Cup in Spain next week in confident mood, his early season form kick-started by warm-weather winter competition and a positive vibe from a close-knit Ireland squad.

Castle’s Alex Gleeson shrugged off some late resistance from Whitehead’s John-Ross Galbraith to win the AIG Irish Amateur Close title 3 and 1 on the majestic Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin.