Irish PGA Championship: Druids Heath provided a stiff challenge to all but the very best yesterday during the opening round in the €140,000 Sherry Fitzgerald PGA Irish Championship.

Newland's David Mortimer, who posted a three-under-par 68, leaped into the lead by one stroke from Leslie Walker and Robert Giles with surprise packet Stephen Fitzpatrick from Powerscourt and Eddie Doyle (Heritage) on 70. Mortimer could have been even better placed but hit a tree off the tee at the last hole and drop a stroke. He also dropped a stroke at the ninth but made five birdies to take the lead.

Walker stormed over the front nine in four under, clipping shots off par at the long second, short third and par four sixth and eighth holes. The Dundalk pro's gallop was halted at index-one 12th where he suffered treble-bogey seven.

Greenore's Giles had a steady four birdie, two bogey round despite suffering from a torn cartilage and ligament trouble in his right elbow. A wedge to 12 feet set up a birdie four at the second and he made another four at the long fourth with a drive and five iron to the green. He missed the green at the next two to drop shots but recouped them at the 12th and 15th.

Fitzpatrick began at the 10th but got off to a bad start with bogey-bogey. He was still one over after nine holes but made birdies at the first and eight holes from four feet each time.

Doyle also started at the 10th and turned level par after back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th. He went two under with further birdies at long holes two and four but dropped a shot at the seventh.

Seniors' Tour player Eamon Darcy carded a regulation two-birdie 71, one stroke better than Philip Walton and Belvoir Park's Peter Martin, who also handed in a 72.