Callum Shinkwin grabs early lead at D+D Real Czech Masters

Callum Shinkwin fired a six-under 66 to grab a one-shot lead after the opening round of the D+D Real Czech Masters.

The world No 159 mixed eight birdies with two birdies at Albatross Golf Resort to set the clubhouse target, with fellow Englishman James Heath one of three players one off the lead.

Heath posted four birdies in a five-hole stretch to join Dylan Frittelli and Sweden's Pontus Widegren on five under, with last week's Made In Denmark winner Julian Suri in the group two strokes back.

Making his first appearance since a missed cut at The Open, Shinkwin birdied the par-five first and cancelled out a blemish at the third with back-to-back gains over his next two holes.

Shinkwin posted successive gains around the turn and briefly grabbed the outright lead when he slotted home from five feet at the 13th, only to bogey the next after finding trouble off the tee.

The Englishman reclaimed a share of the advantage by making a birdie-two at the 16th, before edging ahead by holing from 20 feet at the last.

Heath was level-par after eight holes but surged up the leaderboard with successive gains around the turn and a hat-trick of birdies from the 12th, before closing his round with a run of pars.

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Eddie Pepperell reached his second nine tied for the lead after four birdies and an eagle in a six-hole stretch, only to card two double bogeys along the closing stretch and sign for a three-under 69.

Defending champion Paul Peterson also lies in the group three off the pace, with Lee Westwood and Matt Fitzpatrick a further shot adrift after carding matching 70s.

Watch the D+D Real Czech Masters throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage continues on Friday from 10am.

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