Nordea Masters: NI's Maybin and Hoey make good starts

Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin and Michael Hoey have made impressive starts to the Nordea Masters European Tour event in Sweden.

Ballyclare man Maybin is just one off the lead, having had six birdies on his card before dropping a shot to card a 67 and end on five under par.

Hoey, who like Maybin missed the cut at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, is sitting on three under after a 69.

Swede Jens Dantorp and England's Eddie Pepperell were leading on six under.

Ireland's Shane Lowry, who qualified for the US Open on Monday - the day after being runner-up at Wentworth - came in with a one-under-par 71, the same mark as fellow Irishmen Simon Thornton and Kevin Phelan.