Alfredo Garcia-Heredia will take a three-shot lead into round two of the Irish Challenge after posting a sublime seven under par round of 64 at Portmarnock Links. The Spaniard took full advantage of the calm early conditions before the wind and rain arrived on the Velvet Strand to lead by three ahead of Englishman Gary King, who sits in second place following a bogey-free four under par round of 67. The 39-year-old, who admitted to having little experience of playing links golf, was ecstatic with his opening round in Co. Dublin. “I played really well, it was probably my best round of the year so far,” he said. “I like the area, the place, the hotel and the links golf course is great. “If you play well, you make a good score, and to shoot seven under I also had to have some good breaks in order to make birdies and save some pars. Honestly, I think my play deserved four or five under, but seven is a good bonus.” The Gijon native’s red-hot start to proceedings in Ireland continues his good form of late, which includes a tie for 12th place at the Canary Islands Championship on the European Tour. “I have been playing well,” he said. “I was resting at home last week and I needed that break after playing in the Canary Islands. I arrived here on Monday and practiced on Tuesday, so I played 36 holes, which is not normal for me. “With links golf courses you have to get in as many rounds as possible and focus on the lines, the targets and be patient because the wind can change, and bogeys are definitely out there. It is important to make your pars and then take advantage of the good shots that you hit. “It is very challenging because the fairways are narrow, the wind is sideways and back into you. It is the most complete golf course I have played this year for sure. You must be playing really well to be successful on this links course.” Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin shares third place with Ireland’s Cameron Raymond, Spaniard Borja Virto, Scotsman Daniel Young and Sweden’s Felix Palson on three under par, while Germany’s Yannick Paul, Norway’s Kristoffer Reitan and Iceland’s Gudmundur Kristjansson share eighth place on two under par. The second round of the Irish Challenge will begin at 7:30am local time on Friday May 28, with Garica-Heredia teeing it up at 12:30pm alongside Welshman David Boote and Norway’s Elias Bertheussen.

Gary King will take a one-shot lead into day three of the Irish Challenge after posting a two under par round of 69 in difficult conditions at Portmarnock Links. The Englishman ended the day on six under par, moving one shot clear of round one leader Alfredo Garcia-Heredia and two shots clear of Northern Irishman Dermot McElroy. The 30-year-old was happy to finish his round in style and is looking to keep the standard high over the weekend as he chases a second Challenge Tour victory. “I am very pleased,” said King. “It was nice to finish the round off with a birdie on 18 having birdied 16 as well, so lunch is going to taste that bit sweeter. I’m sitting in a good spot so hopefully I can continue the good form into tomorrow.” Having battled hard in heavy rain and strong winds to card four birdies and overturn a three-shot deficit at the top, King is relishing in the tough conditions that links golf is throwing his way despite admitting to not being a fan of the cold weather. “It is a funny one because I hate the cold. As you can see, I am wearing a big wooly hat now so I will welcome a bit warmer weather tomorrow but hopefully the wind stays up because I am enjoying that test.” The 2016 Montecchia Open by Lyoness winner used his links experience and emphasised the importance of approach play into the greens. He will be hoping to take his momentum into the weekend and claim a second Challenge Tour title, whilst also gaining vital points to rise up the Road to Mallorca Rankings. “I’ve hit a lot of good approach shots and that has been the key to not making bogeys for me over the two days. “If you are hitting your irons well then you can keep bogeys off the card but there are so many runoffs around the greens that if you short side yourself, you are almost certainly going to make a bogey. It is the approach play that has to be strong in order to keep bogeys off the card.” There is plenty of experience behind the leaders with two-time Challenge Tour winner Borja Virto in fourth place on three under par, while two-time Challenge Tour champion Daan Huizing, young Spaniard Eduard Rousaud, Englishman Andrew Wilson, Iceland’s Gudmundur Kristjansson and Germany’s Yannik Paul, all sit tied fifth on two under par. The third round of the Irish Challenge will begin at 8am local time on Saturday May 29, with King teeing it up alongside Garcia-Heredia at 13:10.