Tasty 67 as Thornton leads Johnston Mooney & O'Brien PGA Challenge

The O'Meara at Carton House. 

Team Ireland's Simon Thornton has a one shot lead heading into tomorrow's second and final round of the Johnston Mooney & O'Brien PGA Challenge at Carton House.

Thornton's five under par 68 on The O'Meara, edged him clear of Deer Park's Daniel Beattie and Drive Golf Performance's Colm Moriarty.

The 38-year-old Bradford born golfer coped admirably in today's hot and blustery conditions, going to the turn in two under 35 and coming home in three under 33.

Ballyliffin's Damian Mooney, who carded a fine six under 67 to win the Pro-Am on Monday, carded an opening round three over par 76 and is tied for 20th.

Defending champion Dara Lernihan from Elm Park is tied for 30th on five over par.

Johnston, Mooney & O'Brien PGA Challenge, Carton House (The O'Meara) Par 73

Round One (Detailed leaderboard)

68 Simon Thornton (Team Ireland)

69 Daniel Beattie (Deer Park); Colm Moriarty (Drive Golf Performance)

71 Hazel Kavanagh (Carr Golf)

72 Cian McNamara (Monkstown GC); David Higgins (Waterville Golf Links)

73 Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny GC)

74 Michael  O'Shea (Rathsallagh GC); David Foley (Dromoland Castle GC); Peter Jones (Coollattin GC) 74