Paul Nessling starred on the opening day of the East Region Championship – part of the PGA ‘Open Series’ – as he pieced together a brilliant 64 at Bishop’s Stortford Golf Club.
Nessling (Precision Golf) teed off in the opening 6.50a.m three-ball and proceeded to make a fast start. Three birdies followed by an eagle two at the ninth hole saw him out in five-under-par.
Further gains took him to seven-under-par through 12. Nessling then traded bogies for birdies over the next four holes before closing out with a couple of pars.
It was a dazzling performance and nobody was able to match his opening seven-under-par total.
Daniel Brown (Sene Valley GC) got closest to parity with a fine 65 that was packed with seven birdies.
He’ll start day two just a stroke back from Nessling, who will also be pursued by home region stars Luke Goddard (Hendon) and Rob Coles (Golf Kingdom).
Goddard was the 2022 order of merit winner in the East and signalled his intentions to defend the crown with a flawless 66, containing an eagle and three birdies.
Coles is also at five-under after a strong finish in which he picked up three strokes from the 12th.
A cluster of five golfers tied for fifth spot at four-under-par will also feel they have a chance to claim the first prize on offer of £3,200.
The final trio of Nessling, Brown and Goddard tee off on the second day at 2.40pm.
