Colm Moriarty (Glasson Hotel & CC) made the most of excellent scoring conditions to grab the first round lead at the Shell Pro-Am at Carne Golf Links.

The 35-year-old carded a five under 66 to lead Brian McEhinney (Foyle GC) by two shots at the Co Mayo venue.

“It's a wonderful piece of land. I haven't played here for at least 15 years and it's stunning,” said Moriarty.

“I hit the ball really well today. To be honest, I haven't been playing an awful lot of golf, and I certainly played very little during the winter, but I'm looking forward to playing in a few more events during the summer.”

The former Challenge Tour regular went to the turn in one under 35, recording a birdie at the par five fourth. He rattled off a brace of birdies at the 11th and 12th and then polished off his round with birdies at 17 and 18.

Michael Collins (Mallow Golf Range), Wayne O'Callaghan (Fernhill Golf & CC) and David Ruddy (Cahir Park) are tied for third on two under.

The second and final round gets underway at 7.45am today (Sunday)

Shell Pro-Am at Carne Golf Links

Rd 1 leaders

66 Colm Moriarty (Glasson Hotel & GC)

68 Brian McElhinney (Foyle Golf Centre)

69 Michael Collins (Mallow Golf Range), Wayne O'Callaghan (Fernhill Golf & CC), David Ruddy (Cahir Park GC)  69

70 Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC), David Mortimer (Galway GC)

71 John Langan (Pure Golf Leopardstown), Graeme Dunlea (Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort), Liam Bowler (Wexford GC), Peter Martin (Colin P ark Golf Academy), Mark Staunton (Delgany GC) 71

Leading Pro-Am scores

1 Colm Moriarty 96 

2 John Kelly 95

3 Brendan McGovern 93, Brian McElhinney 93