Brown targeting top spot

Stuart Brown (Thorpe Wood) burst from the gates at The Rayleigh Club with a six-under-par round of 65 to lead the East Anglian Open by a shot.

He will begin the second and final day as the only man who can rein in Rob Coles (Maylands Golf and Country Club) in the race to land the Order of Merit crown.

Coles shot an opening three-over 74 and lies in a share of 38th place. With the best three finishes out of the four Order of Merit tournaments to count in the final standings, his performance at The Rayleigh Club will only become a factor if he produces a brilliant effort today.

Brown was in superb form as he opened up with a round that included nine birdies.

Nick Cains (Swaffham) confirmed that he is one of the region’s brightest young talents with a 66 that will see him partnered with Brown in the final round.

Lloyd Kennedy (Woolston Manor), Chris Grant (Garon Park Golf Complex) and Ian Campbell (Cheshunt Park) are all very much in the hunt, just a further shot back.