Padraig Harrington starts tomorrow as the sole leader after a seven under par opening round.
The three-time major winner begins at half-eight this morning looking to preserve his one shot lead over South Africa’s Zander Lombard.
It wasn’t just a day for Clare and Lahinch to saviour, but spectators had plenty to cheer with a strong display from the home participants.
Thursday afternoon belonged to Harrington, who struck five birdies in six holes to be the overnight leader on seven under par.
South African Zander Lombard also enjoyed a purple patch – four birdies in the final five holes saw him jump to outright second on six under.
Harrington wasn’t the only one leading the Irish charge. Shane Lowry and Cormac Sharvin sit just three shots in arrears, one behind a chasing group of seven players in third place.
Another sizeable group on three under includes fancied contenders Brandon Stone, Tommy Fleetwood, defending champion Russell Knox and John Rahm.
Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke will hope to kickstart their title attempts following disappointing over par first rounds but all eyes on Friday morning will be on Padraig Harrington.
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Wade Ormsby set the early pace with a five under par opening round.
The Australian was in the first group that commenced at 6.45am but that didn’t seem to bother him as he hit the back nine with three birdies in a row.
And Ormsby says he was also happy to conclude the round with another.
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2009 champion Shane Lowry finished the day on four under par, just one shot of the leaders in a competitive three ball that also included contenders Tommy Fleetwood and defending champion Russell Knox.
The Offaly man says he was happy with his effort.
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Oliver Wilson is just behind the leaders after he missed a birdie putt at the 18th hole this morning.
Following success in Monaghan last October, the Englishman is seeking back-to-back victories on Irish soil.
Wilson says he would have liked to have joined the top players.
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Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell finished the day on two over par leaving him seven behind the leaders.
The south of Ireland winner here in Lahinch in 2000 didn’t manage to put himself in a position to attack the leaders in this round.
McDowell thinks the 12th was the one that was a major difference to his score.
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Donegal’s Michael McGeady is one of 10 Irish players participating and he finished his round on one over par.
A double bogey on the 15th undid the the birdies he got either side on 14 and 16.
McGeady says the score for the day was fair.
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