Of the 12 Irish players who started this year’s Smurfit European Open at the K-Club it ended up with the usual suspects leading the way.
Only Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley managed to put in a round of level par or better.Clarke had led early in the day but his four-under 68 was good enough for joint second.
Harrington struggled with his game but managed to grind out a 70 to remainvery much in touch with the leaders three ahead of him.
The touring professional at the K-Club, Paul McGinley, faced a minor crisis on his front nine, going out in two-over 37. But the Dubliner restored some sort of order with a run of three birdies from the 10th on his way to a level par 72.
Damien McGrane is only six off the pace after the Wexford professional carded a one-over par 73.
Stephen Hamill and David Higgins shot a pair of two-over 74’s while veterans Des Smyth and Eamonn Darcy were one shot further back on three-over.
Former Ryder Cup hero Philip Walton struggled to a 76, while lesser knowns John Dignam and John Dwyer finished five and six-over par respectively.
And for another week it seems Ronan Rafferty will be free for any weekend television work, should he be needed, after a disastrous day on the course.
The 1989 European Tour Order of Merit winner slumped to an 11-over 83 coming in as the highest score of the day.