Gareth Wright put in an eye-catching display at Dundonald Links to take charge of the Optical Express PGA 54-holer, the opening event of the new Tartan Tour season.
The 30-year-old from West Linton, runner-up in the 2010 Scottish PGA Championship, blasted a nine-under-par 63 to open up a commanding four-shot lead over Stephen Gray, the Tartan Tour No.1 last year.
Wright's round, of which the highlight was an eagle at the third where he chipped in from 15 yards, was the lowest competitive score recorded at the Ayrshire venue but it will not count as a course record as preferred lies were in operation.
Wright, who also had seven birdies in a bogey-free round, said: "I holed a 20ft putt on the first green and that kind of start always make you feel confident about what's to come. I finished last season very well [he finished fifth on the Tartan Tour's Order of Merit] but I don't usually start the season well because I have, until now, had to concentrate on studying for PGA exams. That's behind me now, though, and maybe today's round is a sign that, for a change, I will get off to a good start."
Gray, who warmed up for the campaign with two overseas wins, continued his good form with a 67 while European Tour player Steven O'Hara finished in a share of third after a 68. Craig Lee, Andrew McArthur and Callum Macaulay formed part of a posse on the two-under 70 mark.
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