Cork's Niall Turner got his rookie season off to a positive start on the NGA Hooters Tour.

The Muskerry man, 24, finished tied 13th in the Guatemala International Open at San Isidro in Guatemala City.

A former Ireland international, Turner carded rounds of 74, 71, 76 and 75 to finish just five shots adrift of winner James Vargas on eight over par and earn $2,915.

Regarded as one of the hottest Irish prospects in years, Turner is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and finished tied for 10th in the 2006 NCAA finals.