Two Bristol golfers have made steady starts at this year's European Tour Qualifying School.

Adam Carson, of Long Ashton GC, shot a fine 71 and Paul Reed, of Bristol & Clifton, managed a 75.

Strong winds at The Oxfordshire on the opening day of the first stage Q School event yesterday meant scoring was high, with only 23 players in the field of 119 shooting under par.

Seventeen-year-old Carson chipped in from off the 18th green to finish his round in style. "I'm still an amateur and have another year with the England juniors," he said. "I've come to Q School with no expectations. I just want to see how far I can get."

An opening birdie was a welcome start for Carson, who was under par for most of the day. But he dropped two shots after hitting into water on the 17th. Only a final-hole birdie got him back under par.

"Technically, this event is two levels up from my amateur golf and the wind made it tough, but I'm very pleased," he said.

Twenty-seven-year-old Reed shot three over par, but came off the course with a smile after three late birdies kept his dream of a place on the European Tour alive.

"I was six over with four to play and I just couldn't get the feel of the greens," he said. Despite hitting 15 greens in regulation, Reed three-putted five times.

"I kept knocking it either 6ft past or 6ft short, and I can't afford to keep doing that because there are only so many of those short putts you can make in one round," he said.

The Oxfordshire is one of three venues staging Q School events this week, with the top 30 going through to the next round in Spain in November. First stage contestants will need to progress through 14 rounds of golf in order to gain a Tour Card for the 2010 season. Gavin Dear, of Scotland, leads at five under.