Lawrie shoots to top

A brilliant round of 64, eight under par, sent Dubliner Peter Lawrie shooting to the top of the leaderboard after yesterday’s opening round of the Sicily Open at the stunningly beautiful Verdura course.

Lawrie, who celebrated his 37th birthday last week, finished just one outside his tournament best, returned in the 2010 European Masters, and is now planning an all-out assault on a second European Tour victory to augment his Spanish Open triumph in 2008.

It was an excellent day for the six-strong Irish contingent as all shot under par. Shane Lowry maintained his recent run of good form to share ninth spot after a five-under 67, Gareth Maybin got round in 68 without ever being at ease with his game while Simon Thornton was understandably pleased with a 69. Paul McGinley, who was decidedly unhappy with his putting having used the blade 34 times, and Gary Murphy went round in 71.