G-Mac well in the mix as Fota promises a Sunday showdown

Graeme McDowell is just one shot off the lead in the Irish Open on a day when the course record was reset.

Overnight leader Miko Ilonen opened with bogeys at two and three, before bogeying at 10 and 17, though birdies at 15 and 18 leaves him in the clubhouse at 12 under.

Danny Willett shot to the top of the leader board in Fota Island, bagging a course record 63 including a hole-in-one at seven.

Willet opened the day at three under par, his ace on the (par) seventh with birdies at four, eight, 14, 16, 17 and 18 setting a new course record.

McDowell opened with a birdie on two before picking up two bogeys at seven and eight, then adding three birdies on the back nine.

McDowell laid up well from the tee at 18 as he looked to finish with a birdie. G Mac had to settle for par, over shooting his putt.

“I have enjoyed the course reaction and the sun here today“ McDowell told Sky Sports. “I’ve had a lot of fun to come here after the pressure of the US open and I can enjoy my golf tomorrow.”

“I just had to be real patient and drew on my past experience” McDowell added. “It was good to birdie two of last three and I’m back in contention.”

I want to try and give the supporters what they want in an Irish winner, but there’s a lot of good players on the leader board.”

“With the Irish Open announcement, Rory and his Olympic announcement and generally what’s going on in Irish golf, it would great to be a home town winner.”

Pádraig Harrington shot a double-bogey five at the third, knocking the three-time Major winner off the pace after opening his round at six under par.

Harrington also bogeyed at nine, having shot a par three at six. Harrington finished for par and remains at six under with birdies at 16 and 18.

The rest of the Irish had a mixed day in the sunny Co. Cork venue.

Forty-two year-old John Kelly opened at par this morning before going on to shoot a three-under 68, picking up four birdies and one bogey at 14.

Darren Clarke’s double bogey at eight saw him shoot a two over par 73, leaving him at par for the tournament. Clarke’s three birdies on the open nine were cancelled out by three bogeys on the back nine.

Peter Lawrie is two under for the tournament, shooting a one under 70 with birdies at four, 10, 11 and 12 but also picking up three bogeys for the round.

Gary Hurley, the only remaining amateur, shot a 10 over par 81, bringing him to six over par for the tournament.