Royal Dublin amateur Hugh Foley and Whitehead’s John Ross Galbraith got off to solid starts at the First Stage of the DP World Tour Qualifying School in Bristol.
They carded level par 70s at The Players Club to share sixth place, just four shots behind leader Jimmy Zheng.
Danny Brennan and Rowan Lester were 14th after 71s with Liam Grehan 50th after a 75 and Ciaran Lavery 77th after an 81.
Lightning delayed play by two hours and 15 minutes at Golf Nazionale near Rome where Michael Young and Daniel Mulligan shot one-over 73s to share 45th place, seven shots off the lead.
The first round was completed this morning with Brandon St John tied 78th after a 78.