Hoey starts well in Telia Challenge

Michael Hoey's bid for a second successive European Challenge Tour title got off to a solid, level-par start at the Telia Challenge Waxholm yesterday.

The Belfast 26-year-old, who claimed his maiden professional win at the BA-CA Golf Open presented by Telekom Austria last weekend, trails Sweden's Christian Nilsson by seven shots after the first round.

Derry's David Jones is the leading Irishman after a first round of 71, two under par.

Justin Kehoe is one behind Hoey after a 74.

However, Daniel Sugrue and Tim Rice had disappointing first rounds, carding respective scores of 76 and 83.