Peter Lawrie shot a five-under-par 67 in Burma yesterday to take the first round lead in the London Myanmar tournament on the Asian PGA Tour. In a seven-birdie round, the 1996 Irish Amateur Close champion showed his competitive strength by finishing with birdies at the 17th and 18th.

The 24-year-old Dubliner, who is sponsored by O'Callaghan Hotels, spent most of last season competing in mini-tours in Britain. Earlier this month, however, he secured the 27th card at the Asian Qualifying School in Malaysia, where former international colleagues Bryan Omelia and Richard Coughlan also got through.