Richie Coughlan, replacing Greg Norman at the last minute, shot a level par 72 in yesterday's first round of the Genuity Championship in Miami, Florida. It leaves the Birr man 10 shots off the early pacesetter Mike Weir who shot a remarkable round of 62 on the Doral Resort and Country Club.

Coughlan started well with a birdie on the opening hole, but a double bogey six on the seventh left him with a mountain to climb. However, to his credit he fought back and finished the back nine in one-under-par.