Northern Ireland Open: Amateur John Ross Galbraith sparkles with 68

Leading amateur John Ross Galbraith won the North of Ireland championship in 2015

Leading Irish amateur John Ross Galbraith produced a superb opening round of 68 to lie three shots off the lead at the Northern Ireland Open.

The 22-year-old from Whitehead had a fine finish with three birdies in his last four holes to move to three under par at Galgorm Castle.

Tournament ambassador Michael Hoey birdied his closing three holes to also finish on three under par.

Ireland's Damian McGrane is among the clubhouse leaders on six under.

Galbraith, starting on the 10th tee, bogeyed his second hole but a birdie at 17 left him level after his opening nine holes.

He had five straight pars with a flurry of birdies at the sixth, eighth and ninth holes the highlights of a fine opening round.

Play in the first round was delayed for six hours because of waterlogging at the Ballymena venue with 13-year-old golfing prodigy Tom McKibben one of the later starters.

Northern Ireland Open leaderboard.