Parry cruises into contention

Steve Parry wasted little time in finding his land legs as he fired a five under par 67 in the opening round of the Titleist & FootJoy PGA Professional Championship.

The North West Golf Academy course pro teed up at The Oxfordshire fresh from spending Open week working on Celebrity Cruises escorting passengers to and from Royal Troon.

The 37 year old admitted seeing Henrik Stenson’s Claret Jug triumph had whetted his appetite to get back into competitive action in the £78,000 event being staged at The Oxfordshire.

“I was raring to go after seeing all the golf at Troon,” said Parry.

“I putted really well which I have not been doing of late. I’ve been practising hard but something clicked today.”

His round included eight birdies and leaves him tied with James Wilkinson (Penrith Golf and Footgolf Centre) four shots adrift of leader Andy Raitt – the St George’s Hill pro having tied the course record 63.

Parry has a good record in the PGA Professional Championship with a couple of top 10 finishes to his name and sees no reason why he can’t win it.

“Someone has to so why couldn’t it be me,” he added.

“I’m getting older and these guys are all experienced. You don’t see too many young lads winning this – experience counts for a lot.”