Magnificent Maw makes early move

Sheffield’s James Maw shot a magnificent 65 on a windy opening day of the Break90 Classic at De Vere Slaley Hall to lead the HotelPlanner.com PGA Europro Tour event by one stroke on seven-under-par.

Ireland’s Michael McGeady and Scotsman Ross Kellett share second on six-under, while Stiggy Hodgson carded a first-round 67 which included three eagles and is fourth on five-under.

Maw (Rockliffe Hall) has missed the last two cuts on the tour but made eight birdies over the Priestman course on Wednesday, with a solitary bogey at the ninth.

“I didn’t miss a shot,” said Maw after his round. “It has come out of nowhere because I haven’t been playing well over the last couple of weeks.

“I missed the last two cuts so I have had a bit more time since the last event to refresh but we have played a lot of golf but I haven’t done a lot differently.

“It was tough because of the wind, although it wasn’t as windy as in the pro-am. I shot five over in the pro-am but did actually play well so it is random to be seven-under.

“If you hit it in the rough there is every chance you lose your ball so you have to keep it in the short stuff. You really do have to keep it in play.”

An eagle at the par-four 14th helped McGeady (North West Golf Club) to an opening-round 66, while Kellett (Kingsfield Golf Centre) was unblemished as he also went six below the card in Northumberland.