Hoey’s 67

Ireland’s Michael Hoey carded an opening round three under par 67 to lie just two shots off the lead at the European Challenge Tour's JJB Sports Northwest Challenge yesterday.

Hoey, currently 21st on the Challenge Tour Rankings, put together five birdies and two bogeys to join 17 other players on three under on a seriously congested leaderboard, which is headed by a six-strong group on five under par.

Dubliner Stephen Browne, meanwhile, is not far off the pace after his one under par 69.