Brian O’Driscoll has carried many a rugby team on his back over the years and he continued to pull his weight on his debut at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews on Thursday.

The former Ireland and Leinster captain was paired with England's Oliver Fisher, but the former Walker Cup player struggled to a two-over 74 on the Old Course.

O’Driscoll’s contributions around the famous track helped the duo finish on six under after the first round, the highlight being a nett eagle on the par-five fifth.

A single handicap golfer, O’Driscoll also contributed four birdies, including the 18th and settled the ship when Fisher had four straight bogeys from the 13th hole with a birdie on 14 and pars on 15 and 16.

The Irish duo of Peter Lawrie and Kieran McManus lead the pro-am on 12 under after their round of 60 at Kingsbarns.

Pádraig Harrington and Kieran’s father, JP, looked set to challenge them after making birdie on each of the first seven holes. But closing bogeys at Carnoustie left the duo on eight under.

Harrington also lost a share of the lead with those bogeys on the course where he won the first of his two British Open titles, signing for a six-under 66 to fall two behind England's Oliver Wilson, who carded a 64 at Carnoustie.