Robert Moran is the leading Irish contender after the opening round of the Alps Tour\u2019s Andalucia-Roquetas de Mar on a day where scoring proved tough in southern Spain.<\/p>\n
The Castle man made 16 pars with one birdie and one bogey offsetting each other and shares 13th place, just four off the lead as he continues to search for a maiden victory on the third-tier circuit.<\/p>\n
Hugh Foley and Sam Murphy share 29th at two-over, but all three played in the tougher afternoon wave on day one and will be hoping to make the most of early morning conditions in round two.<\/p>\n
Stephen Grant and Cathal MacCanna are a shot further adrift at +3 but are within the projected cut mark in a tie for 38th, and they\u2019ll be among the later starters so will have a more defined number to aim for in order to earn a tee time for Saturday\u2019s third and final round.<\/p>\n
England\u2019s Mason Esson holds sole possession of the lead at four-under-par with two Frenchmen and two Spaniards sharing second place at -2, two shots in arrears.<\/p>\n