By George it’s Ryall at the top

George Ryall, the oldest player in the field, leads the 36-hole West Region PGA Championship at The Players Club, near Bristol, with an outstanding opening round of six-under-par 66.

The European Seniors’ Tour winner will be 60 in a month’s time but he eased his way into contention for his first Marston’s Order of Merit success in ten years . He made four birdies on the front nine and an eagle three act the 12th which took him to seven under before he three-putted the 13th during a downpour for his only bogey.

“I am very happy – it was a good day so I can’t complain,” said the Worlebury teaching professional. “I only missed two greens and made a few putts which was the key. I played in a great group with Jon Bevan (the PGA Cup-winning captain from Sherborne) and Stuart Little (Minchinhampton) who should have been about four shots better as he is such a wonderful ball-striker.

“I’m in a good position but it is so bunched up at the top, there are so many guys in a position to win. I’ve just got to do it all again in the second round.”

David Dixon (Enmore Park), Kevin Harper (East Devon) and late finisher Andy Windsor (Knighton Heath) share second one stroke behind.

Dixon was out in four-under 32 and would have probably led but for a double bogey at the 17th. Harper only picked up his first shot at the ninth but came home with an eagle at the 11th and three birdies. Windsor made five birdies and would have shared the lead but for a final hole bogey.

Defending OOM champion Ashley Mansell (Clevedon) aced the 16th after an earlier eagle on the ninth to post 68. Bevan, Ross Langdon (Brickhampton Court), former West Seniors’ champion Kelvin Aitken (Chippenham Golf Centre) and PGA Cup player Paul Hendriksen ( Ivybridge) joined him.

Twenty nine players bettered par. OOM leader Sion Bebb (Morlais Castle), Richard O'Hanlon (St Kew) former PGA winner Scott Drummond, PGA Assistants’ champion Lee Corfield (Burnham & Berrow), ex-Welsh champion Mark Plummer (Cirencester) and former Europro player Matt Moseley (Tenby) are only three behind.

Jessica Bradley (Tiverton) looks certain to take the women’s title in her first PGA season after a level par round as former winner Tracy Loveys (Bigbury) is eight shots adrift.