Ireland made a positive start to €35,000 PGAs of Europe International Team Championship in Turkey.

The trio of Damien Mooney (Ballyliffin), Brendan McGovern (Headfort) and Michael McDermott (Pure Golf Leopardstown) trail Scotland by three shots on nine under par after round one at Gloria Golf Club.

Scores

Graham Fox led the way for Scotland, firing a brilliant 11-under-par career best score of 61 on his way to a six shot lead in the individual championship.

McGovern is second on five under par with McDermott joint third alongside Magnus Atlevi of Sweden and Italy’s Andrea Signor.

“I couldn’t break 80 yesterday,” admitted Fox, whose previous best return was eight-under. “Today was just one of those days when everything went for me – it doesn’t happen that often. I just relaxed and decided to go out and enjoy it. Perhaps that’s the secret.”

Last year, Ireland, represented by McGovern, Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC) and John Kelly finished tied for third alongside Wales and Denmark, just three shots behind the winners Holland.

There are three rounds remaining with the best two individual scores each day from the team of three counting towards the overall team score.