Higgins starts well; Leona's LET debut; Ireland eight back in Greece

David Higgins

Waterville's David Higgins opened with a three-under 68 to trail England's David Dixon by just one shot after the opening round of the 54-hole PGA Play-offs in Turkey.

Tulfarris Golf Resort's Simon Thornton shot 69 and Michael McGeady a one-over 72 as they chase valuable spots in three huge events next season. Scores

The top-two finishers will qualify for the European Tour's €3.3 million British Masters at Hillside with the top-three making the Great Britain and Ireland PGA Cup team and the top-four earning spots in the $7 million BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Joe Dillon, Damian Mooney and Colm Moriarty in Greece

In Greece, defending champions Ireland are tied for ninth at halfway in the PGA's of Europe International Team Championship at Costa Navarino. Scores

Damian Mooney shot a two-over 73 and Colm Moriarty a 74 with a 77 by Headfort's Joe Dillon's discarded as they slipped eight strokes behind leaders Belgium on five-over.

“It's a proper test of golf,” said Ireland captain Mooney. “The wind was from a totally different direction than on day one and was also a bit stronger. We will keep at it tomorrow and hopefully get a run of scoring going to give us a chance going into the final day.”

Leona Maguire will make her professional debut on the Ladies European Tour in the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open in Spain today. Scores

The Slieve Russell star (23) tees it up with Women’s British Open champion Georgia Hall and defending champion Azahara Muñoz at La Quinta Golf & Country Club in Marbella looking to sharpen her game ahead of next month's LET Qualifying School in Morocco.