Staunton Beats Elements on Day one

Mark Staunton of FORE Ireland leads after round 1 of the PGA Irish Club Pro event at Dundalk Golf Club on Wednesday after completing the course in a four under par 68 in an afternoon round which saw deteriorating conditions and increased onshore winds for those with late tee off times.

John Kelly is in second place after a 69 with a group of four players - Raymond Burns, Kenny Fahey, John Sugrue and David Walker - two shots further back on 71.

David Mortimer of FORE Ireland, currently second in the 2010 Race to Mount, signed for a level par 72 with the leading player on the Irish Order of Merit Eamonn Brady carding a 77.

Kevin Dorrian of Scrabo Golf Club was two over par along with Philip Walton of FORE Ireland who also signed for a 74.

Michael Collins was one shot further down the leader board after carding a round of 75.

2009 Order of Merit winner David Higgins reached the club house with a 76 on his card.

Brendan McGovern of Headfort Golf Club signed for an 80 after double son the 13^th, 15^th and 16^th holes.

Ted Higgins Jnr was 82 for day one with three double bogeys on holes 4, 7 and 12 the major setback.

Michael Collins Reviews Round

"Today was the first round of the Club Pro's and the draw ended up being very important with the weather dis-improving dramatically into the afternoon," explained Michael Collins after his round at Dundalk Golf Club. "I hit the ball quite well and missed 5 good birdie chances in the first 8 holes only to bogey 9 to turn in plus 1. Another bogey at the 11th and 15th put me 3 over." "My day was summed up at 18 when a good 9 iron shot left me an 8 footer up the hill and into the wind for my only birdie of the day which I left short. It was a stark contrast to last week when the birdies were flying in all directions." "I played with Stan [Mark Staunton] who played well for a 68 which was a proper score in that wind. He made no mistakes all day and is a clear leader going into tomorrow. I am only a few shots off of second so if I can get some feathers flying early on I might be able to move up the leader board and get some badly needed order of merit points."