Harrington surprised he's well in hunt with round of 69

FOUR Irish golfers began yesterday's first round of the Open Championship.

Three had designs on winning the old claret jug, the other simply wanted to make the cut. Yet, when the day was over, it was a case of the man who had humbled himself becoming exalted.

Des Smyth, aged 49 and playing in his 22nd Open, breezed around Muirfield in 68 shots. Try as they would, the younger men couldn't keep up.