Neil Raymond was four shots off the lead after the first round of the Brabazon Trophy, as the Corhampton star began his bid to make history at Formby.

Hampshire number one Raymond has won the English Men’s Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship the last two years and is this week attempting to complete an unprecedented hat-trick.

The 27-year-old started with a reasonable first round in Liverpool, shooting a two-over-par 74 to put him into a tie for 30th place. Huddersfield’s Nick Marsh led the way on two-under.

Meon Valley’s Harry Ellis was one shot behind Raymond, on three-over, while Rowlands Castle’s Billy McKenzie was eight-over.

You can follow live scoring of the event here.