MAUREEN MADILL was the best of the three Irish challengers yesterday in the first round of the American Express Tour Players Classic at The Tytherington Club, Cheshire. Her three-over-par 75 was two strokes ahead of Aideen Rogers, who was playing with a new set of irons, with Tracy Eakin on 80.

Rookie professional Vibeke Stensrud from Norway and Germany's Tina Fischer led the field after finishing on three under par 69.

Madill endured only one lapse on her way to the turn in 37, her only bogey following a wayward drive at the fourth hole. At the 12th she drove into a water hazard for another bogey, then, from a bad lie, took three from the edge of the 14th green.

Madill then holed from 20 feet for a birdie at the long 16th, only to take three putts on the next green.

Rogers had birdies at the long second and ninth holes on her way to the turn in 36, but she struggled on the greens coming home.