Ireland's Stuart Grehan and Richard Bridges are five shots off the lead after the opening round of the 43rd Copa Tailhade in Argentina.

Tullamore and NUI Maynooth star Grehan had five birdies and six bogeys in a one over 72 at Los Lagartos Country Club in Buenos Aires as Stackstown stalwart Bridges had two birdies and five bogies in a three over 74.

Scores (PDFs) — Team | Individual

The Irish pair's total of four over 146 left them in eight place in the 15-nation event behind Venezuela and Canada, who shot 141 to lead by one stroke from Chile and Argentina with Spain and South Africa three shots off the pace in joint fifth.

Venezuela's Gustavo Morantes Punceles shot 69 and his compatriot Alejandro Perazzo a 72 as Canadian Corey Conners posted a 70 to compatriot Austin Connelly's 71,

Morantes Punceles, Argentina's Alejandro Tosti and Spain's Victor Pastor lead the individual competition by a stroke from a seven strong chasing pack thanks to their 69s with Grehan tied for 15th and Bridges joint 30th.

High temperatures helped dry out the course, which was flooded by heavy recent rains