DOHERTY, GALLAGHER LEADING SCOTS IN ULSTER

Former Scottish boys match-play champion Paul Doherty and John Gallagher (Swanston) were joint top Scots sharing seventh place at the end of the first round of this week's PGA EuroPro Tour event, the Ulster Bank Open at Galgorm Castle Golf Club, Ballymena today. Both shot three-under-par 69s to be five off the pace set by England's Scott Fallon. Doherty's round was bogey-free while Gallagher had an eagle 3 at the long ninth and birdies at the 13th, 15th and long 18th. Wallace Booth (Comrie) continues to make good progress along the comeback trail after a long spell out of action last season due to injury. He covered the last 10 holes in four under par for a 70 and a share of 14th place.  The Saltman brothers, Elliot and Zack (Archerfield Links) and Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey) all  shot 71s to be joint 19th. Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw) had six birdies but a triple bogey 7 at the 13th in a round of 72 which put him in a share of 33rd place with Duddingston's James McGhee. Myles Cunningham (Longniddry) and former Walker Cup player and past Scottish amateur champion Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck) had 74s, one better than Ellon's Ross Cameron. It was a bad day for Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) with a 79 which included one triple bogey and two double bogeys, as well as Greg Nicolson (Mortonhall) on 84 with three triple bogeys and one double bogey. PGA EUROPRO TOUR ULSTER BANK OPEN Galgorm Castle GC, Ballymena. LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES Par 72 64 Scott Fallon (Eng) Scottish scores: 69 John Gallagher (Swanston), Paul Doherty (Vale Hotel). 70 Wallace Booth (Comrie). 71 Elliot Saltman (Archerfield), Zack Saltman (Archerfield), Duncan Stewart (Grantown on Spey). 72 Shaun McAllister (Craigielaw), James McGhee (Duddingston) 74 Myles Cunningham (Longiddry), Michael Stewart (Troon Welbeck). 75 Ross Cameron (Ellon). 76 Ed Wood (Crow Wood) 79 Mark Kerr (Marriott Dalmahoy) 80 Malcolm Isaacs (Nairn Dunbar) 84 John Hendry (Clydebank & Dist), Greg Nicholson (Mortonhall). ends