GOLF TOUR NEWS:A BOGEY at the 18th hole cost Ireland's Mark McNulty the overall lead on day one of the British Senior Open Championship at Walton Heath.

The five was the only blot on McNulty’s scorecard, leaving him with a four-under-par 68, level with Australian Mike Harwood and American Mark Calcavecchia.

Harwood actually finished in worse fashion than McNulty, bogeying the 16th and 17th, two of three bogeys in an inconsistent round.

The leading trio sit one shot clear of Scotland’s Albert MacKenzie and South African David Frost, who carded rounds of 69, one better than a group of seven which included another Scot, Gordon Brand Jr, and Germany’s Bernhard Langer.

Langer’s fellow former US Masters champion Ian Woosnam went round in 71 to stay in contention, on the same mark as American one-time Open champion Tom Lehman.

Tom Watson, after impressing at Sandwich last week, had a disappointing day and finished on three-over 75.

It was worse for Scotland’s Sam Torrance and Sandy Lyle though, as they recorded 80 and 81 respectively.

Aside from McNulty it was a poor day for the Irish. Denis O’Sullivan was tied for 42nd after a one-over 73, while recent tour winner Des Smyth slipped to a 75, which included two double-bogeys.

Eamonn Darcy was a shot farther back, while Pat Errity was forced to retire after eight holes.

Meanwhile, Colm Moriarty was the leading Irishman after round one of the English Challenge following his one under par 71 at the Stoke by Nayland Hotel Spa.

The Athlone man outscored his seven compatriots at the Essex venue, with Gareth Shaw getting closest with a level par 72.

Moriarty’s one under mark finished the day as the projected cut, leaving Shaw, Tim Rice and Simon Thornton (one over), Niall Kearney and Gary Murphy (two over) needing a strong second round to survive into the weekend competition.