Banbridge’s Richard Kilpatrick fired a six-under-par 66 to take control of the 111th Irish PGA Championship at Carne Golf Links.

Kilpatrick’s bogey-free, six birdie round earned him a two-shot lead over Mark Staunton (Mark Staunton Golf) with defending champion, Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) a shot further back on three-under-par.

“I played very solidly, didn’t hit one driver and kept it in play,” said Kilpatrick. “I controlled and managed my game well and holed a few putts.”

Overnight rain-softened conditions on the Wild Atlantic Dunes course but the predicted storms somehow skirted the venue with competitors basking in afternoon sunshine.

“Like everyone else, I was prepared for some wet and windy weather but it turned out to be an absolutely great day,” added Richard.

“To be honest, I haven’t been playing very well lately, but I re-read a few things that I noted down four or five years ago and returned to basics. I’m just going to hit every shot as it comes and see what happens at the end of the week.”

Staunton’s four-under 68 included a double-bogey at the par-four 12th but he was reasonably pleased with his start.

“I was steady, just kind of plodded along,” said Mark. “I picked up birdies on three of the par fives and hit a couple of lovely shots close on two of the par threes (10 & 14)

“I hit a terrible shot on the 12th (double-bogey). There is no room for anything slack out there. I dropped two shots there but it was my only dropped shots of the day otherwise, it was pretty good.

“You have to keep it on the short stuff, this year more than others. The rough is a bit more lush. If you hit it offline it gets tricky.”

Defending champion Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort) was frustrated with his opening 69.

“Any time you shoot under par you have to be happy,” admitted Simon. “It’s a golf course that you can make a high number straight away if you miss, there is a lot of heavy rough.

“To get around there in three under, it was alright. I missed a few putts early on from inside 10 feet and didn’t birdie a couple of the par fives. Three under, it is what it is, we will go again tomorrow and see how we get on.”

The second round continues on Friday after which a cut will be made to the leading 50 players and ties who will play in the final round on Saturday. The winner will collect €6000 from a total prize fund of €40,000.

111th Irish PGA Championship at Carne Golf Links (Wild Atlantic Dunes Course, Par 72)

Detailed scores

1 66 Richard Kilpatrick (Banbridge)

2 68 Mark Staunton (Mark Staunton Golf)

3 69 Simon Thornton (Tulfarris Golf Resort)

4 70 Sean O’Donoghue (Mount Wolseley Golf & County Club)

T5 71 Damian Mooney (Damian Mooney Golf), Liam Grehan (The K Club), David Higgins (Waterville Golf Links), Jack Ryan (Castletroy), Lee Campbell (County Armagh)

T10 72 Colm Moriarty (Glasson Lakehouse, Seamus Clinton (Redcastle Hotel &), Joe Dillon (Headfort), Eoin O’Connor (Kilkenny), Leslie Walker (Dundalk), Jack Howard (Fota Island)

T16 73 Michael McGeady (Evolve Golf Coaching, Jimmy Bolger (Kilkenny), Steven Quinlan (SQ Golf), Raymond Ryan (Thurles), David Mortimer (Galway), Adam Mulhall (Ardglass)

T22 74 Gavin Young (Ballyneety), Brian Jnr McCormack (McCormack Golf Ltd), Ciaran Molloy (Golf4Kids), Shane Irwin (Monkstown), Richard Weldon (Black Bush), Liam Power (Galway)

T28 75 Matthew McCarthy (Ballybunion), Ciaran Lavery (Concra Wood), Neil O’Briain (Old Conna), Michael Alexander (Blackwood Golf Centre), Patrick Geraghty (Druids Glen), Jerry Scullion (J Scullion Golf). Eric Byrne (Rathfarnham). John McQuaid (Rossmore)

T36 76 Brian Cosgrove (Newlands), James Quinlivan (Mullingar), David Hughes (Massereene), Owen O'Loughlin (Millicent), Paul O’Neill (Shannon), Dylan Burke (Millicent), Peter O’Hagan (Luttrellstown Castle), Brian O’Reilly (Glenlo Abbey), Karl Goodwin (Beaverstown)

T45 77 Tim Rice (Limerick), Eoin O’Brien (Clontarf), Andrew Hogan (Edmondstown), Damien Scott (Farnham Estate), James McVicker (Unatt.), Nicholas Grant (Knock), Brendan Walton (Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links), Shane Franklin (Cregmore Park), Cathal Simpson (Green Life Golf Centre)

T54 78 Philip Duff (Laytown & Bettystown), Brian Kerley (Ardee)

T56 79 Michael O'Shea (Palmerstown House Estate), Mark Sutton (The Ward Golf Centre)

T58 80 David Barry (Clonmel), Gary Madden (Glenlo Abbey), Niall McGlynn (Golf Ireland Academy), Glen Robinson (Craddockstown)

T62 81 Enda Maguire (Co. Louth), Shane Jenkinson (St Margaret's Golf & Country Club), Craig Stewart (Craig Stewart Golf Limited)

T65 82 Paul Eivers (Cahir Park), Ciaran Hegarty (Millicent)

67 83 Peter Morgan (Elm Park)

68 84 Darren McHale (The K Club)

69 85 Keith McDermott (Hermitage)

70 86 Kevin McMillan (P & M Golf Superstore Ltd)

71 87 Nathan Kernaghan (Massereene)

72 88 Ronan Higgins (Balbriggan)

WD John Casey (Tralee)