Steady start for Irish trio as field in eye of a storm

GRAEME MCDOWELL’S fondness for a tougher golf course test was rewarded with an encouraging level par score on the opening day of the Singapore Open.

McDowell and Peter Lawrie carded par 71s on the opening day of the $US5m event being played on the Sentosa course.

The duo, along with Paul McGinley who signed off for a 73, were the only Irish among a contingent of nine who managed to complete their round after an electrical storm mid-afternoon forced a three-hour delay to play.