Four Vikings plunder Germany

England’s Daniel Gavins notched a pair of eagles on the way to grabbing a share of the first round lead with American Daniel Woltman in the First Qualifying Stage Section B at Frilford Heath.

Gavins eagled the eighth and 15^thholes en route to a round of 65 which earned him a tie for the lead on seven under par.

Woltman had looked on course to better that score, only for a double bogey on the 18^thhole to halt his early momentum.

Gavins’ compatriot Nick McCarthy is in third place in the early stages in Oxford after a round of 66, whilst another Englishman, George Parker, is a further shot back after he mixed six birdies with a single bogey.

Meanwhile, over at Fleesensee Golf and Country Club, a quartet of Scandinavians lead after the first round.

Swedes Henrik Hilford Brander and Robin Askstrand, Dane Jacob Lauridsen and Amateur Finn Lauri Ruuska all carded impressive rounds of 67 to place themselves at five under par, establishing a one shot lead in Germany.

Fleesensee, sat in the heart of the Mecklenberg Lake District, is part of European Tour Properties’ network of world class golf venues.

The top 24 and ties from Frilford Heath (Blue) and the top 21 and ties from Fleesensee Golf and Country Club will progress to the Second Stage, which will be played at various venues across Spain at the start of November.