Harrington unhappy having missed several chances

Despite the fact that he had only 27 putts, Padraig Harrington reckoned his score of level-par-72 was a case of missed chances and various 15-footers failed to drop. Two birdies and two bogeys was the story of his opening round.

"I'm unhappy with the 72 as I played pretty poorly on the front nine. I missed several chances on the back from around 15 feet - I didn't putt well. Conditions were perfect this morning. It was a day for scoring. I'm really surprised that 72 isn't further back. The greens are at their best in the morning but I'm not trusting my readings," confessed Harrington who started as joint favourite with Darren Clarke.

Definitely unhappy with his 77 was Paul McGinley. "I'm hitting a lot of quality shots and then some off the 'wool'. My bad shots are always getting punished. I'm hitting shots coming out of nowhere and that's why my confidence is being undermined. I have got to play my way through this bad

spell as I can't sort it out on the practice ground."

It was generally an unhappy day for most of the Irish challengers who have finished their rounds. Eamon Darcy - 75 - reflected that he didn't play especially well. "I wasn't sharp enough and I'm not happy with that score," he said.

It was much the same story with Des Smyth who three-putted three times for a 79 after starting bogey-bogey. "What can you say about a 79 except that it is B-A-D," commented Des.

The most pleased was Royal Dublin assistant Neil Manchip who carded 71 with three birdies included. "My putting was pretty good but I hit two slack drives. I'm pleased with that start, as it is much better than my 76 at Fota last week. The course is playing very tough here," said Neil.

Needing something special tomorrow to stay in the championship is Michael Hoey. He posted a 75 and reflected: "Things aren't going well for me. I'm just not playing well and putting myself under pressure. I now have got do a good score tomorrow if I am to make the cut. I'm striking the ball well but missing putts and I'm letting that effect me. I keep running myself out of the picture."

Gary Murphy had to be content with his level-par-72 but it could have been better as he carded four birdies and then threw away the advantage.

CLUBHOUSE SCORES:

71 - N Manchip

72 - P Harrington, G Murphy

75 - M Hoey, E Darcy.

76 - J Dignam,

77 - P McGinley

79 - D Smyth

81 - D Walker

J Dwyer - -1 after 6

P Walton - Level after 11

G McDowell - +1 after 7

D Clarke - +1 after 11

R Rafferty - +2 after 12