Bragg and George lead the way at Essendon

Darren Bragg (above) of North London Golf Academy and Andrew George of Ely City led the way on the opening day of the PGA in England East qualifying school on the New Course at Essendon Country Club.

They both signed for three-under-par 69. Hot on their heels is Colchester assistant Chris Cutchie with two-under-par.

Bragg, in the first group of the day, made a flying start being four-under at the turn. George had seven birdies. Bragg and Cutchie both had six.

The leading 50 players from a field of 108 will qualify for the six order of merit events arranged for this year.

The rest of the field will be required to take their chance in the individual qualifiers for each tournament.

Former Scottish amateur international Peter Latimer of Felixstowe Ferry and Nicholas Cunningham of Bedford and County are both well placed at one-under.

Forty-nine players are above the cut line with rounds of 77. There were three eagles. Mark Alexander of MA Golf eagled the 498-yard par five ninth and ended at three-over-par. Christopher Forsyth of Topgolf Academy eagled the 518-yard par five 16th and is in the group of nine players joint 41st with rounds of 77.

Charles Sanderson-Woods of Hadley Wood also eagled the 16th but is nine-over-par with a mountain to climb.