Morton duo in command

Andrew Marshall, Bawburgh.

Ed Morton (EM Golf Studio) and his brother Rob surged to the top of the leaderboard after the first day of the Marstons Beer Co PGA Summer Classic.

Playing under a greensomes stableford format at the marvellous Royal Cromer venue, the Morton duo racked up 43 points.

The Bedfordshire-based PGA professional and his 11-handicap partner have opened up a three=point lead over other three pairs.

Andrew Marshall (Bawburgh) and Geoff Newton, Danny Poulter (Heacham Manor Hotel) and Chris Clayden and Sam Willis (North Weald) and Sam Stoddart all recorded respective 40-point tallies.

The champagne moment on day one was clinched by former European Tour ace Marshall. He conjured up a hole-in-one on the scenic, cliff-top par-3 13th.

Marshall said: “It was 187 yards, down breeze and I hit 7-iron just right of the flag and it bounced left a hair. I think that’s four in competitions now and seven in total.”

The second day will be staged at the equally superb Sheringham where the format is a better-ball stableford for the field comprised of 60 pairings.