Home crew finding European Challenge Tour in Carlow tough

It was a tough day for the home contingent as the European Challenge Tour returned to Mount Wolseley Resort in Co. Carlow for the second Volopa Irish Challenge.

Englishman Sam Walker made the most of warm and sunny weather conditions in the morning of yesterday’s opening round, shooting a six-under-par 66 to take a two-shot lead over compatriot Steven Brown, Holland’s Darius van Driel and Edouard Dubois of France with Meath’s Rory McNamara the best of a sizeable Irish contingent in a tie for 13th.

The 26-year-old from Headfort, in his third year as a professional, shot a two-under 70 before wind and rain made scoring more difficult for the afternoon wave of starters.