The M.E.N. Manchester Open champion, who broke the course record at Humberside club Brough last week, made the most of the calmer con- ditions later in the day after a howling gale had blown many of the early starters off course.
"I could have been three or four shots better off," he said as he overtook clubhouse leader Neil Cheetham, a former European Tour player based in Sheffield.
He explained his resurgent form was down to playing more regularly over the past month and having his swing checked by Marriott Worsley Park professional David Screeton.
"He deserves a lot of credit," said Smith who made a dream start to his round with a birdie at the first and eagle at the third when he drained a 50-foot putt.
Meanwhile, Colin Maroney threw caution to the wind to trail Smith by three strokes. The 32-year-old professional, who supplements his modest income from playing by teaching at Harwood at the weekends, fired a 71, which included three birdies, in a howling gale.
"I certainly did not play safe," he said. "I took a driver on every hole apart from the short ones."
HEATON Park Tigers celebrated a double success of a £10,000 grant and the Golf Mark award - announced earlier in the season - at the formal presentations yesterday.
The cash came from Awards for All, a division of the National Lottery.
Tweet
