Moriarty heads Major stars

AND your leading Irishman after 18 holes of the Irish Open is.... Colm Moriarty.

The Athlone-based Dubliner flew the flag at his national open championship in some style yesterday, shooting a four-under-par 67 at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club to take a share of sixth place, four shots behind first-round leader Jeev Milkha Singh of India.

It was a satisfying day for the Challenge Tour player as he upstaged the illustrious quartet of Irish Major champions whose presence was turning this week’s tournament into a marquee event on the European Tour.