The Portmarnock duo of Geoff Lenehan and Jack Pierse exploded out of the gates with six birdies against no bogeys on the front nine to turn in 6-under 30. On the back nine they cooled off a bit, but with three more birdies and two bogeys they still put together a 1- under 35 side that allowed them to sign for a 65.
In second place one shot behind at 6-under is British Open rota member Royal St. George's Golf Club. The highlight of the day for the seaside course pairing of Karl Gilbert and Richard Osterdahl was a hole-in-one on the 12th hole. Over the remaining 17-holes Gilbert and Osterdahl rolled in seven birdies and three bogeys.
The highest ranking United States team is third place Los Angeles Country Club, the site of next years Walker Cup. Through 18-holes the course from the city of angels is 5-under following a 67. Representing the club are John Callaghan and Sandy Horacek and the two paired for a bogey-free, five birdie round.
Currently the final spot of the match play bracket is being held by Thai National at 4-under. Playing in their home county Kammalas Namuangruk and Sadom Kaewkanjana put together a bogey-free round with birdies on the 3rd, 8th, 15th and 17th holes.
Overall there are eight other United States in the field:
Baltusrol Golf Club (5th, -3) ---Jeffrey Kiley and Nick MullenRiviera Country Club (T6, -2) ---Kaj Vazales and Mike Riedel
Pine Valley Golf Club (T6, -2) ---Gene Elliot and Michael McCoy
The Olympic Club (T6, -2) ---Kory Storer and Randy Haag
Oakmont Country Club (T15, E) ---Brett and Brock Bergman
Shinnecock Hills Golf Club (T17, +1) ---Alex Robertson and John Picket III
Merion Golf Club (19th, +3) ---Donald Ashley and John LeBoeuf
Seminole Golf Club (24th, +6) ---John Pinkham and Kelly Miller