Wales Open: Connor Syme and Jordan Smith lead at Celtic Manor
Jordan Smith won his first European Tour title in a play-off against Alexander Levy at the Porsche European Open 2017 -5 C Syme (Sco), J Smith (Eng); -3 K Kitayama (US), C Shinkwin (Eng), S Soderberg (Swe), R Macintyre (Scot) Selected others: +1 O Farr (Wal); +4 R Enoch (Wal), T Bjorn (Den); +5 P Price (Wal), Full Ranking
Scottish Connor Syme and England's Jordan Smith take the lead the Wales Open after the first round
The tournament at Newport & # 39; s Celtic Manor, the host of the 2010 Ryder Cup, ran for 15 consecutive years and has returned after a hiatus since 2014 .
The event is the second to take place at the Celtic Manor in consecutive weeks after the Celtic Classic.
At least four spots on Winged Foot for next month's US Open are still up for grabs at this week's tournament.
A tight leaderboard means many players stay in the fight, with Syme and Smith having a two-shot advantage of 66 after rounds.
With traditional qualifying events canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the USGA made 10 US Open seats available to the highest points earners of the UK Swing's first five events of the European Tour.
England's Sam Horsfield, who won the Hero Open and last week's Celtic Classic, has secured a spot.
Thomas Detry of Belgium, English Champion Andy Sullivan, Rasmus Hojgaard and British Masters Champion Renato Paratoreare also go to Winged Foot, with Adrian of Spain Otaegui unlikely to be out of the top 10 beaten.
The 2018 European Ryder Cup-winning Captain Thomas Bjorn managed to play despite completing a four-day charity walk of over 210 miles from Wentworth in Surrey to the Celtic Manor.