Treble-chasing Barrie Trainor made a steady start to his defence of the Ladbrooks.com PGA Irish Assistants' Championship title, at Dungarvan yesterday, with a one-under-par 71.
However, the South County assistant to Raymie Burns was reined in as he had to share the overnight lead in the 36-holes tournament with three other players - James Quinlivan (Elm Park), Stuart Taylor (The Island) and Keith O'Neill (Co Sligo).
Trainor spread five birdies over his card but had a poor run-in as he dropped a shot at holes 11, 12 and 15 but could afford to do so as he had already built up a sizeable lead.
The holder's big hitting came into play at the first and third holes where he pencilled in birdie fours but the charge was halted when he failed to match regulation four at the fourth.
However, he got back on the rails with birdie threes at six and nine to turn in three-under-par 33.
The defending champion went four-under with another three at the 10th green before his three over finish on the closing eight holes.
James Quinlivan was first to break par as he handed in an early 71 to be followed by English man Stuart Taylor from The Island.
Taylor won the Ulster Championship pro-am at Castle Hume last month. Last to join top-of-the-leaderboard was Rosses Point player Keith O'Neill.
O'Neill has made great strides in his first year as a professional player. He helped Co Sligo to win the men's Irish Senior Cup at Shandon Park last September and the following day, along with another member of the winning team, Martin McTernan, turned professional. McTernan carded a 75 yesterday.