Ashley Chesters is flying high
Ashley Chesters finished ahead of Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and tournament host Lee Westwood after an excellent first round at the British Masters in Northumberland.
The Hawkstone Park golfer was tied eighth at the end of the first day thanks to a five under par round of 65.
Chesters carded six birdies at Close House, with a bogey on the par four ninth his only blemish.
McIlroy hit a three-under-par 67 to lie four shots behind leaders Tyrrell Hatton and George Coetzee.
Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Matt Fitzpatrick, Graeme McDowell and Poulter all shot 66, but Masters champion Sergio Garcia had to settle for a level-par 70.
