Tie at the top at Essendon

Chris Baron fired a flawless 68 to share the lead with Mark Davis and Mark Baker after a superb opening day of the PGA East Region Championship.

West Essex Golf Club’s head professional Baron recorded four birdies to tie at the top on four-under-par at Essendon.

It continued his recent run of fine form, which included success at the PGA East Head Pros’ Championship at Brocket Hall last month.

But Baron will have to produce similar top-quality golf to land the second Order of Merit event of the season with Davis and Baker in equally fine form.

Davis (Thorndon Park) finished with a flourish, making three birdies in his final five holes to signal his intent. In all, the former European Tour winner made six birdies to put himself on the front row of the grid going into the second day.

Colchester Golf Club’s Baker, winner of the recent Hadley Wood Pro-Am, registered an eagle in his opening 68.

There is a strong chasing pack at three-under-par, including Mark Hooper (The Rayleigh Club). Less than a month after his heroics at the BMW PGA Championship, his first-round 69 suggested he is likely to be involved at the business end of his latest tournament.

Jason Levermore (Channels), who also played at the flagship Wentworth event, began his challenge well and lies just one shot off the lead – as does the current PGA in England (East) captain Paul Hetherington (Great Hadham G&CC).

James Mynott (St Ives) and George Howard (Brampton Park) were the two other players to card rounds of 69 and put themselves in an excellent position to bid for the title.