Foster leads with Harrington and McDowell in tow

England’s Mark Foster birdied six of his first 10 holes to burst into an early three-stroke lead as the North staged its first Irish Open since 1953 today.

Watched by a sell-out crowd which included First Minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness – fresh from his handshake with The Queen of England – Foster reached the turn in a superb 31 and then two-putted the long 10th.