Des Smyth will take a four-shot lead into the second half of the Links Golfing Society winter league when he tees up in the Benson and Hedges-sponsored outing to Royal Dublin on Thursday. Smyth, after an excellent six-under-par 65 in the opening round at The Island, leads the 36-hole professional gross on four under par. Three shots back is Leslie Walker from Foxrock, with Jim Carvill (Bar One Racing) a shot further adrift in third place.