Browne, Lawrie sparkle in the sun

IRELAND’S “second division” of European Tour members had their day in the sun at San Roque yesterday.

Temperatures in the high 70s on the opening day of the Spanish Open held no fears for Dubliners Stephen Browne and Peter Lawrie, both of whom shot five under par rounds of 67, while David Higgins finished on 70.

On the debit side, Damien McGrane, three under after 10, took a double bogey seven at the 11th and limped home in 73.