Bowers and Kierstenson to the fore

Luke Bowers and Mitch Kierstenson both shot one-under-par 70s to lead the qualifiers for the Weston Homes Royal Cromer Classic.

While the pair finished out in front at East Herts, they compiled their respective scores in differing fashions.

Bowers (Lakeside Lodge) was swift off the blocks to get to two-under after just three holes.

Kierstenson (Penfold Park), on the other hand, was slowly away and found himself three-over through eight.

But his experience told through the next 10 holes in which he picked up five birdies.

Bowers played the back nine steadily and could even afford to drop a shot at the concluding par-3.

The duo finished two ahead of Ryan Newman (Kingsway Golf Centre) and Laurence Allen (Verulam).

In total, there were 17 qualifiers for the Order of Merit event at Royal Cromer, which will be staged on September 1-2.