Madrid Open: Harrington takes early lead in Madrid

Ireland’s Padraig Harrington has taken the early lead at the Telefonica Madrid Open after carding a record-equalling opening-round 63 this afternoon.

The Dubliner, who won the Madrid Open last year, fired in eight birdies, two bogies and an eagle on the seventh to take the clubhouse lead on eight under par.

Two birdies on the 17th and 18th holes helped Harrington move clear of the field and equal the course record held by Eduardo Romero and Colin Montgomerie.