The Island’s Brendan Walton fired a six under par 66 to top the leader board at the opening qualifying event for the Irish PGA Championship at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort.

Walton carded four birdies and an eagle in a mistake free round of golf at the Co Kildare venue which will host the 106th Irish PGA Championship from September 22-25.

“We were looking on a few of the holes and the championship tees are about 50 or 60 yards further back. We played off the whites today but I think it might be a set up a bit different for the Irish Championship,” said the 29-year-old.

“It's a venue I know quite well. When I was studying at Maynooth we used to come down and play a few rounds. It was great to see the place in good condition, I thought the greens in particular were running really true.”

Tara Delaney (Eddie Doyle Golf Academy) finished in second place with a 71 to secure one of the 11 qualifying spots on offer.

A second qualifying event will be held at Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort on August 30th.

Irish PGA Championship qualifier (1), Moyvalley Hotel and Golf Resort (Par 72)

Qualifiers

Detailed scores

66 B Walton (Island GC) 66    

71 T Delaney (The Eddie Doyle Golf Academy)

72 G Byrne (Palmerstown Stud GC), S Quinlan, A Dunmore (Bundoran GC)                

73 P Dooley (Drive Golf Performance Limited)

74 C Coyne (Lisheen Springs GC), R Collins (Halpenny GC)    

75 B Doheny (Mount Juliet GC), M Murphy (McGuirks Golf), P Small (Galway GC).