Almost all the focus was on world number one Rory McIlroy heading into day one of the Irish open but it’s Padraig Harrington who’s sitting at the top of the leaderboard on 4 under par alongside Germany’s Max Kieffer.
As McIlroy endured a horror round of 80 (+9), Harrington made seven birdies in his round to give himself of winning his home tournament for a second time.
The 2007 winner made five birdies in six holes on the back nine to move into the lead before Kieffer matched him. Harrington is one of the early starters in the morning and the three time major winner is hoping for more of the same although he will take on a few more shots:
Michael Hoey and Simon Thornton are the next best placed Irishmen on level par while 2009 winner Shane Lowry is 1 over alongside Graeme McDowell and Paul McGinley.
