Golf: Jordan Smith and Connor Syme lead at end of first round of Wales Open

The pressure was off Sam Horsfield at the ISPS Handa Wales Open on Thursday. With the usual qualifying events cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the USGA made 10 places in the US Open available to the top points earners from the first five events of the European Tour's UK Swing. Horsfield made certain of his place by winning both the Hero Open and last week's Celtic Classic - the first of back-to-back events held at 2010 Ryder Cup venue Celtic Manor. He finished seven shots adrift of the first round leaders - England's Jordan Smith and Connor Syme of Scotland. The pair hit 5-under-par 66s. Four men carded 68s to share third place - Callum Shinkwin, Sebastian Soderberg, Kurt Kitayama and Robert MacIntyre.