Former Ryder stars make early running

Former Ryder Cup players Gordon Brand Junior and David Gilford made the early running as the Murphy’s Irish Open teed off at Fota Island in Co Cork.

Brand made the perfect start when he holed out with a nine-iron approach for an eagle at the 409-yard, par-four opening hole. The Scot followed up with a hat-trick of birdies from the third to lead on five under par after eight.

The 43-year-old is a lowly 124th in the Order of Merit and has not finished higher than 18th all year.

He does have eight victories on the European Tour to his name but his last win was in 1993 at the European Open.

Gilford picked up an eagle at the par-five fourth to add to two early birdies as he reached four under par after six. The Englishman has been enjoying a revival in fortunes this season, although he faded to finish 10th at last week’s Great North Open having shared the lead after 54 holes.

Colin Montgomerie made a good start to his bid for a record fourth Irish Open title. Having started at the 10th, the defending champion picked up three birdies in his first seven holes and although he dropped a shot at the short 13th, he was handily placed on two under par after seven.

Playing partner Lee Westwood was also two under after seven but last year’s runner-up and recent Compass Group English Open winner Darren Clarke made a disappointing start with two bogeys in his opening six holes leaving him two over par.

Padraig Harrington, Thomas Bjorn, Ian Woosnam and Philip Price were among the later starters on the opening day.