Despite the adverse weather conditions there was a distinctly homely feel to the first day of the Scottish Challenge, with three natives at the top of the leaderboard.
A first competitive hole in one on his maiden appearance in a professional tournament helped 19 year old Scottish amateur James Byrne to a round of 66 and the outright lead, one shot clear of his compatriots Chris Doak and Greig Hutcheon.
Sweden’s Klas Eriksson and England's Matthew Morris, in fast fading light, also shot rounds of 67 to make it a four-way tie for second place on minus four.
But the day belonged to Byrne, who has fond memories of Macdonald Cardrona Hotel Golf and Country Club, having won the Scottish Boys Stroke Play Championship there in similarly treacherous conditions last year.
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