Leeds Cup halfway lead is shared by trio at Moortown

THREE players share the first-round lead after day one of the Leeds Cup at Moortown on the three-under-par 68 mark.

But defending champion Ben Mason, from Waterfront Golf, endured a torrid time as he posted a 77 to end any realistic hopes of retaining the title.

Evergreen David Shacklady is among the front-runners after stringing together five birdies and is well placed in his bid to win professional golf’s oldest trophy.

It is one of the few titles that has eluded the man from Lancashire club Mossock Hall.

This is the 100th staging of the tournament, inaugurated in 1902, and sharing pole position with him are Disley’s Scott Jackson and EuroPro Tour player Paul Grannell, from Cheshire resort Vale Royal.