FORMER winner David Jones' opened with a two under par 69 to stay up near the leaders after the first round of the £65,000 Kenya Open championship in the blistering heat of Nairobi yesterday.

With temperatures nudging 90 degrees, Jones had five birdies ill his round but a touch of early season rustiness cost him three bogeys, including the par five 18th where he hit a tree with his second shot and was forced to take a penalty drop. This leaves him five behind the leading group of four.

Jones, 48, the club professional at Mount Ober, was the best of the three Irish professionals - England based Martin Sludds scored a 71 and Stephen Hamill 74.