Galgorm Castle's Joshua Hill and Douglas' Jack Murphy opened with two-under 68s to share the lead with England's Conor Byers in the Lytham Trophy at Royal Lytham at St Annes.

Reigning Munster and Connacht Boys champion Murphy was three over after six holes before sensationally playing the remaining 12 in five-under thanks to birdies at the seventh, eighth, ninth, 11th and 17th.

Hill and Byers had five birdies in their 68s and the trio lead by a shot from Wales’ Matt Roberts, England’s Freddie MacArthur, Scotland’s Oliver Mukherjee and Swedish pair Simon Hovdal Wilhelm Ryding.

It was also a great day for Pormarnock’s Brandon St John who recovered from a trying week at the Welsh Amateur by making three birdies and three bogeys in a level par 70 to share ninth.

It was a mixed day for the 19 Irish in action with Athenry’s David Kitt the next best of the bunch in 15th after a 71.

The leading 40 players and ties after Saturday’s second round will go through to play two further rounds on Sunday.

Lytham Trophy, Royal Lytham & St Annes

Scores

T1 Joshua Hill Galgorm Castle -2 68

T1 Jack Murphy Douglas GC -2 68

T9 Brandon St John Portmarnock GC E 70

T15 David Kitt Athenry GC +1 71

T24 Matthew McClean Malone GC +2 72

T24 Robert Brazill Vaas GC +2 72

T24 Robert Moran Castle GC +2 72

T38 Richard Knightly Royal Dublin +3 73

T52 Hugh Foley Royal Dublin +4 74

T69 Marc Boucher Carton House +5 75

T87 Aaron Marshall Lisburn GC +6 76

T87 Sean Keeling Roganstown +6 76

T95 Thomas Abom Edmondstown GC +7 77

T103 Darragh Flynn Carton House +8 78

T103 Patrick Keeling Roganstown +8 78

T114 Simon Walker Roscommon GC +9 79

T122 Eoin Murphy Dundalk GC +10 80

T122 Liam Abom Edmondstown GC +10 80

T137 Ryan Griffin Rosapenna +13 83