PAUL Wykes made a winning start to the New Year to reach the second qualifying round of the £250,000 European Open at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool, yesterday.

World number 69 Wykes required less than two hours to whitewash Irishman Colm Gilcreest 5-0.

It was his first match since he lost 9-2 to Steve Davis in the first round of the Powerhouse UK Championship a month ago.

But the long Christmas break did not have an adverse effect on his form as Wykes began the match with a break of 60 and easily won the next two frames to lead 3-0.

He then edged the fourth on the black and wrapped up an impressive victory with a run of 81 in the fifth.

"I'm pleased with that," he said. "I scored fairly heavily and kept it tight.

"You can't ask for much more than 5-0 in the first match of the year.

"I felt relaxed coming up here and thought I'd play well, but I often do and then don't produce the goods.

"Winning your opening match al-ways settles you down so I'm looking forward to a good run here and hopefully get back in the top 64."

Wykes now meets Scotland's Martin Dzie-wialtowski in the second round.

He was in action again today in the first round of the Irish Masters where he faced Thailand's Atthasit Mahitthi.

Wykes will also be competing in the preliminary rounds of the Regal Scottish Open and Embassy World Championship.

Details: Paul Wykes beat Colm Gilcreest 5-0, Frame scores (Wykes first): 69-12; 74-41; 85-0; 65-59; 94-25.