Critics of pin positions on thin ice, says Harrington

Like the old joke about the man who complained it was “fierce slippy out there” on the ice rink, Ireland’s sextet of stars could have no complaints about the R&A set-up as they slithered off the leaderboard on day one of The Open.

Darren Clarke’s one over par 72 was the best of the bunch as Pádraig Harrington hit a 73, Shane Lowry a three over 74, Graeme McDowell a 75, Gareth Maybin a 78 and Rory McIlroy a disastrous 79.

McIlroy and Lowry had least cause for complaint as they went out in the best of the early conditions when the greens still had some moisture and the wind was benign.