DAVID Horsey reproduced the form he showed at last week's Open Championship with a first round two-under-par 70 in the Swalec Wales Challenge.

The Styal professional took advantage of perfect playing conditions at Vale Hotel Golf and Spa resort in Cardiff to post five birdies and grab an early share of the clubhouse lead alongside Spain's Carlos Del Moral before they were overtaken by England's Matthew Cort who had a 69.

Horsey, who collected £9,700 after finishing in a tie with ISM stablemate and compatriot Lee Westwood in 67th place at Royal Birkdale, could this week could become the first to graduate straight onto the European Tour if he wins his third title in the past month.

He said: "I played well on the first two days of the Open and put myself right into contention, but maybe I got a bit ahead of myself over the weekend instead of just keeping things on an even keel.

"On the third day I played with Zach Johnson, who's won a Major, and it was a real confidence boost."

Meanwhile, Garry Houston, the 2002 MEN Manchester Open champion from Chester, carded five-under-par 67 in the Russian Open in Moscow, and is two shots adrift of former Castle Hawk assistant David Carter, Swedes Joakim Backstrom, Fredrik Henge and Finland's Roope Kakko.

John Daly was five shots off the lead after recovering from a poor start to return an opening 70, two under par.

The former Open champion carded rounds of 80 and 89 to finish 29 over par and joint last at Royal Birkdale last week - and was two over par after seven holes in Moscow.

But despite struggling with tendonitis in his left elbow and a hand injury, Daly hit back with three birdies in his last four holes to give himself a chance of making his second halfway cut. Tweet