Golf: Two way tie for Westport lead

After a day of howling winds and squally showers John Dwyer and Eamon Logue top the leader board at the halfway stage in the €137,000 Smurfit PGA Irish Region Championship at Westport.

Dwyer from Ashbourne and Logue, the Hilton Templepatrick Club pro, are on regulation 146 with Dwyer posting a great level par 73 in the conditions that saw many scores soaring.

Some players had to pencil in scores as high as 11 at certain holes because of the elements - and that despite the fact that many tees were moved forward, up to 70 yards, to make the course playable.

Dwyer matched four birdies with four bogeys and carded a great par at the 15th hole where his ball was blown off the green with the gales.

"My chipping and putting was good," disclosed Dwyer, "an the game was sharp all round. I didn't know how it would stand up to a championship because this is my first tournament this season."

Logue took 78 shots, 10 more than lurched him into the first round lead, with just two birdies on his card.

He three-putted a few times and also missed the green on some occasions but was still pleased with his score.

"A five over in those conditions isn't bad and I'm very pleased to be up their with John (Dwyer) at the top of the leaderboard," remarked Logue.

The only player to break par was title favourite Paul McGinley who handed in a 72 after making birdies at the long holes four and 10 and another at the 1st.

He lost strokes at the 8th and 11th.

"The conditions were miserable but the PGA set up the course very sensible to make it playable," said Paul who shares a two-over-par 148 with defending champion Des Smyth and Damian McGrane.