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.