GLENEAGLES, Scotland (AP) — Richard Finch of England shot a 6-under 66 Thursday to lead the Johnnie Walker Championship after the opening round.
Finch is looking to end a two-year drought since winning twice in 2008, at the New Zealand Open and Irish Open.
Five players are a shot back. The English quartet of Robert Rock, Richard Bland, Gary Boyd and David Lynne, and Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher.
England’s Simon Dyson is at 4 under and a chance of breaking into the leading nine on the Ryder Cup points standings.
Dyson arrived in Scotland in 13th place in the standings and four places short of automatically qualifying. However, he needs to win to have any chance of making the European team.
