Casey hits the front on Europro ahead of European Tour debut in Russia

Brian Casey. Picture: Europro Tour

Europro Tour — Headfort's Brian Casey carded a seven under 64 to take a one-stroke lead into the last two rounds of the Clipper Logistics Players Championship at Moor Allerton Golf Club in Leeds.

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After finishing second in the Tree of Life Championship at Close House last week, Casey made an eagle and six birdies against just one bogey to lead on eight under from Greg Payne, James Ablett, Chris Halley and Marcus Armitage, who pipped him to the title in Northumberland,

“My goal today was to go out and pick my shots and make sure I controlled it in the wind, because yesterday I let a few shots slip and that cost me,” said Casey, who has been handed an invitation to next week's M2M Russian Open in Moscow. "Overall I am happy to get another under-par round in and I am looking forward to tomorrow.

“I have been in good form and have some good things to look forward to; I am playing Russia next week for my first start on the European Tour. I have been building towards that and the second place last week has really helped.

“Playing 72 holes suits me. I think it suits everybody because it gives you an extra chance to hit some form during the week.”

Casey had begun the day on the provisional cut mark but quickly moved away from that with a birdie at the 11th and an eagle at 12, having started on the 10th tee.

Two more birdies came at 16 and 17 to see him go out in 31 and he broke par three times on his closing nine, with a bogey at the 7th his only blemish.

Alan Dunbar and Tim Rice are five strokes behind Casey on 142.