Belt joins leaders at Lancs Open

Newly crowned PGA Fourball Champion Alex Belt reeled off five birdies over the back nine to earn a share of the lead after the opening round of the James Brearley Lancashire Open.

The Snainton Golf Centre pro carded a four under par 67 to join Phillip Kelly and Gareth Davies (Abbeydale) at the top of the leaderboard at Blackpool North Shore.

Kelly’s round contained six birdies offset by dropped shots a 12 and 14 while Davies had one solitary blip at the fifth.

Defending champion David Corsby (Fleetwood) is a shot behind alongside Formby Hall’s Richie Marsden in the 36-hole Order of Merit event which carries an £8,380 prize fund.