Philip Walton put in a stroming finish at sunny Castlerock when he carded a two-under-par 71 to snatch the overnight lead in the first round of the £110,000 Smurfit PGA Irish Region Championship.

Paul McGinley began the defence of the £110,000 Smurfit PGA Irish Region Championship at Castlerock.

Philip Walton chalked up his first win on the Irish PGA Tour in more than two years with a storming finish in the 36-holes £20,000 AIB Connemara pro-am.

David Walker likes the Greenore course.

Milltown assistant Francis Howley upstaged the seasoned European Tour pros

European Tour player Des Smyth leaped into the lead after the first day's