Eamonn Darcy's fine form of late continued at Slieve Russell yesterday as he leaped into the lead with a three-under-par 69 after the first round in the £50,000 Quinn Direct PGA Christy Trophy event.
Two top-10 finishes on the European Tour during the past fortnight earned Darcy £40,000, but he wasn't entirely happy with his seventh place at The Oxfordshire on Sunday.
He was happy enough yesterday, however. "I couldn't have done better than a 69," he said. "I hit a few poor iron shots but putted well.
"I watched my old pal Christy O'Connor (Jnr) doing very well on the Seniors Tour in the States and that gave me fresh impetus. I was a bit down and not playing well. I had no appetite for golf, but Christy's performances lifted me. We had a bit of a chat and now I'm eager again," said Darcy, the outright winner at Slieve Russell two years ago and joint winner with O'Connor last year.
O'Connor came home with a two-under par 70. "That was the best I played all year from tee to green," O'Connor said afterwards.
The home-based challenge was lead by Kevin Morris, who posted a 71.
