Royal Mid Surrey PGA professional Matthew Paget and amateur partner Peter Brooks carded an opening six-under-par 58 in the opening round of the Gulf Air International Pro-Captain Challenge Grand Final 2007, supported by BMW, in Bahrain to be just two shots off the lead.

Scotland's Paul Wardell and Guido Bicocchi, from Whitekirk near Edinburgh, posted a 56 in the better ball format to head the field with 2005 champion Brian Rimmer and Neil Andrews second on seven under.

East Molesey-based Pagett was satisfied with his day's work despite dropping his only shot at the 193-yard fourth.

"Six under is well in contention, just two behind," said the 34-year-old who, after just two birdies on his front nine, had four coming home, including three over the last four holes.

"We are nicely tucked in there really. On the practice day seven under led so that was a good sighter as to what might happen today.

"The putter got a bit hot towards the end of the round. It was a really good finish.

"We were one under and I managed to make a birdie on nine and that sort of kick-started us; it gave us some momentum because we didn't really have any.

I managed to birdie 10 as well to get us going."

Amateur partner Brooks, 53, got off to the perfect start with a nett birdie at the first but could not pick up any more strokes over the next 17 holes.

"We did start birdie-birdie because Matthew birdied the second but it all went a bit flat for a few holes and then Matthew kicked in on the ninth and carried it on on the back nine," said the six-handicapper.

"He played very well and I will try to help him a bit more tomorrow."