Serial winners Paul Hendriksen and Toby Hunt signed off in style to set the pace in the opening round of the PGA West Region Championship at Woodbury Park.
Both birdied the par-three 18th at the Devonshire venue to post five-under-par rounds of 68 and lead the 36-hole Order of Merit tournament sponsored by Carlsberg Marstons and Turier Scales.
Their advantage at the head of the 60-strong field is as slender as it’s insecure, however. Hot on their heels is a rival in red hot form, namely James Ruth, winner of last month’s English PGA Professional Championship and leader of his region’s Order of Merit.
He lies a shot behind the leading pair, sharing third place with Joe Cruse and Zach Galliford.
Hendriksen’s birdie on the last mirrored his start to the round and was his seventh in total, four of which came in a storming finish in the final five holes.
Hunt, the head pro at St Mellons Golf Club, Cardiff, also birdied the par-four first but, unlike his rival from Ivybridge Golf Club, Devon, his quest for the £2,500 winner’s cheque and Order of Merit points to trim Ruth’s advantage was more measured.
He remained bogey-free whereas Hendriksen’s otherwise excellent card was sullied by bogeys at eight and 13.
Galliford, who represents Ross on Wye Golf Club, was also bogey-free while Ruth and St Enodoc Golf Club’s Cruse were left to reflect on blips at the ninth and eighth respectively.
The event is also three tournaments in one insomuch that, in addition, to the main contest there are ones to determine the region’s champion trainee and senior.
In that respect, Bigbury Golf Club’s Sam Edwards leads the Turier Scales-sponsored competition for trainees after posting three-under par round of 70; and Nicolas Brennan of Farrington Park is the leading senior on the same score.
