Welshman Stuart Manley has set the early pace in round one of today’s 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier at Walton Heath.

Manley was the very first player to tee-off at 6.40am and posted a six under par 66 that included an outward nine of 30 and inward half of 36 on the New Course.

It is the first occasion the 35-year old Aberdare-born Manley has teed-up in a U.S. Open qualifier.

Germany’s Max Kieffer shot a 68 and Scotland’s Scott Jamieson posted a 69 each on the New Course.

However India’s Jeev Milka Singh, a two-time former Asian Tour No. 1, has withdrawn after posting a 75 also on the New Course.

On the Old Course the England pair of Oliver Fisher and Simon Griffiths shot 67s and India-born Shiv Kapur a 68.

At 12.30pm local time triple Major winning Padraig Harrington was in the later stages of his round.

Stuart Manley sets the pace in the first round of the 2014 U.S. Open qualifier at Walton Heath. (Photo – David Lloyd/www.golffile.ie)