Gavins leads in Kenya as Irish quartet six off the lead

An impressive seven-under-par 64 sees Daniel Gavins top the leaderboard after the opening round of the Magical Kenya Open.

The world number 70 started on the back nine and opened with a birdie, however, he found himself one over after five holes following back-to-back bogeys on 13 and 14.

But then the Leeds native hit a rich vein of form, posting six birdies in seven holes around the turn, before picking up another two shots in the final three holes, including a 70-foot birdie putt on the finishing ninth.

Gavins takes a one-shot lead into the second round with American Johannes Veerman and India's Shubhankar Sharma posting six-under 65s.

Four Irish sit in a tie for 40st place heading into Friday's action, as Paul Dunne, Cormac Sharvin, Gavin Moynihan and Niall Kearney all posted one-under-par rounds of 70.

Jonathan Caldwell is in danger of missing the weekend cut following a disappointing five-over opening round 76.

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