SWINDON'S Matt Mumford leads the Lookers Championship by one stroke after the first round of the HotelPlanner.com PGA EuroPro Tour season opener at Close House yesterday.

Mumford (Wrag Barn Golf Club) carded a five-under-par 66 on the Colt Course, dropping just one shot during his first round.

Northern Ireland’s Dermot McElroy (Ballymena Golf Club) is one shot back on four under with three golfers sharing third, two off the lead.

Having teed off at the tenth Mumford went out in 34 with birdies at 15, 16 and 17 before a bogey at the 18th. On the traditional front nine, his back nine, the Wrag Barn man made further gains at 4, 6 and 8 to finish the day five under.

“I am very happy with my round today,” he said. “I started off a bit shaky but my short game was very good today and saved me a couple of times early on. I am elated with today.

“It was very windy during practice and the pro-am but today I had a good tee time with no wind and managed to take advantage of that. The course suited me today; I was very accurate off the tee and you have to hit a lot of long irons so it did suit me.

“I had a poor season on the EuroPro Tour last year but I have worked hard over the winter to get into contention and the hard work has paid off so far.

"There was plenty to learn from last year. It was my first year travelling away to all the different events and getting used to staying on my own. I am still only 22 but this is my third year as a professional so I feel I have a lot of experience for a young age now.”

Having been among the early starters at Close House, McElroy had topped the leaderboard for much of the day until Mumford signed for his 66 in the final group.

Gavin Moynihan (ISM), Jonathan Thomson (Rotherham) and Neil Fenwick (Dunbar Golf Club) all share third on three under while among the 11 golfers three shots back is Richard James (Aberdovey Golf Club), who won this tournament last year.