:00:11. > :00:16.It's the first time the Irish Open has been staged in Northern Ireland
:00:16. > :00:20.for almost 60 years, but it's been worth the wait. The event is a
:00:21. > :00:27.sell-out. Over the next four days, more than 100,000 people will flock
:00:27. > :00:36.to the stunning north coast to see a host of golfing stars. Like Rory
:00:36. > :00:40.McIlroy, who won the US Open in record-breaking style last year.
:00:40. > :00:48.Graeme McDowall, born and bred in Port Rush has also won America's
:00:48. > :00:54.national championship. Then there's the Open Champion,
:00:54. > :00:57.Darren Clarke, one of European golf's most successful ever players.
:00:57. > :01:03.He is also the ambassador for this tournament.
:01:03. > :01:06.They are joined in the impressive field by the three-time major
:01:06. > :01:12.winner, Padraig Harrington, here to compete on his favourite course.
:01:12. > :01:17.There is a host of other top Irish talent, including from Belfast,
:01:17. > :01:24.Michael Hoey. Among the leading Americans in this all-star cast is
:01:24. > :01:31.Keegan Bradely, the current US PGA champion.
:01:31. > :01:36.Welcome to Royal Portrush for day one of the Irish Open. Well the
:01:36. > :01:40.weather on the north coast has been changeable. From glorious sunshine
:01:40. > :01:46.to torrential rain. Despite the overcast conditions today, and the
:01:47. > :01:52.threat of more rain forecast for later on, that will not dampen the
:01:52. > :02:02.enthusiasm of the thousand and spectators who is turned up to see
:02:02. > :02:31.
:02:31. > :02:36.some of the best golfers in the It's fantastic, not just to come in
:02:36. > :02:40.and see it, but to see as many people out on the golf course as
:02:40. > :02:45.well. Obviously it's a golf club with a huge amount of history with
:02:45. > :02:53.the Open Championship being here in 1951, but in the modern era, this
:02:53. > :02:57.is one of the proudest moments for all of Port Rush.
:02:57. > :03:02.We have great memories here. For a lot of the guys that have played
:03:02. > :03:06.amateur golf in Ireland here. It is one of the best places to come and
:03:06. > :03:10.play golf, not just in this country, but in the world.
:03:10. > :03:15.I couldn't imagine being treated better than the way I am right now,
:03:15. > :03:24.the people have been unbelievable. I haven't played the course in 16
:03:24. > :03:31.years, I have no idea what it is going to play like.
:03:32. > :03:36.The Irish Open, it has a lot of Irish back ground, I do, and I also
:03:36. > :03:40.have a lot of Irish friends. So it makes it very cool to be here m
:03:40. > :03:44.This is such a great atmosphere. You are very proud to be a part of
:03:44. > :03:48.it, yes. It is fantastic. You own have to
:03:48. > :03:55.look at it. The course is in magnificent condition. The Irish
:03:55. > :03:59.crowds, well, it doesn't get much better, does it? The Englishman
:04:00. > :04:03.Simon Dyson is the defending champion, but the stars of this
:04:03. > :04:07.year's Irish Open are, of course, home-grown. The return of the
:04:07. > :04:12.tournament is largely down to the extraordinary success of the
:04:12. > :04:18.Northern Ireland's three major champions, Rory McIlroy, Graeme
:04:18. > :04:22.McDowall and Darren Clarke. G Mac is celebrating ten years as a
:04:22. > :04:32.professional this week. He should know every inch of Royal Portrush
:04:32. > :04:45.
:04:45. > :04:50.as this is where he learned to play I made the debut in June, 2002.
:04:51. > :04:55.Up in the north of England at the Great North Open. I remember
:04:55. > :04:59.snapping the first T shot, so nervous I could barely pull the
:04:59. > :05:04.trigger, but it's ten years on, it's been a roller-coaster.
:05:04. > :05:10.I wouldn't change a thing. I really wouldn't. I've been very lucky. The
:05:10. > :05:15.game's been very good to me. I've remained healthy and fit. I'm still
:05:15. > :05:22.enjoying the game. Ten years, where has it gone? It feels like it has
:05:22. > :05:28.gone in the blink of an eye. I was always the guy who was into
:05:28. > :05:33.the short-term goals, trying to get to the next level, to win
:05:33. > :05:37.tournaments, competing in order of merits -- Order of Merits, and
:05:37. > :05:42.getting on the Ryder Cup. I have climbed the ladder slowly. When I
:05:42. > :05:49.look back on ten years, there really have been peaks and troughs,
:05:49. > :05:54.but the curve has remained gradually, on the up.
:05:54. > :06:00.Mental toughness, when I look around my family, I see my mum and
:06:00. > :06:05.I feel like if I get my mental toughness from anyone, it is from
:06:05. > :06:10.her. He is a tough cookie. She's an amazing woman.
:06:10. > :06:14.I feel like I get my toughness from her.
:06:14. > :06:18.It's great to be home, though. I really haven't spent much time in
:06:18. > :06:22.Northern Ireland this year. I miss my family. I miss coming home and
:06:22. > :06:26.seeing everyone. This is a great opportunity this week to have some
:06:26. > :06:31.family around at the house over the weekend and to have them watch me
:06:31. > :06:39.play golf this weekend. Instead of watching on the box, on the TV,
:06:39. > :06:44.they can actually see me in person. I would have been proud of the
:06:44. > :06:49.place if I had had nothing to do with it. I would have just been
:06:49. > :06:55.proud to have the European Tour come to Portrush, but I am a part
:06:55. > :06:58.of this history here. Myself, Rory McIlroy, Padraig
:06:58. > :07:02.Harrington and Darren Clarke, the strength of Irish golf in general.
:07:02. > :07:10.We feel a certain amount of pride that this great tournament has come
:07:10. > :07:14.to Portrush. Well, Graeme McDowall was one of
:07:14. > :07:17.the first golfers out this morning, but he was not the Irishman making
:07:17. > :07:23.the early running. That honour fell to Padraig
:07:23. > :07:29.Harrington. This was a birdie at the par 5 second. He quickly moved
:07:29. > :07:35.the par 5 second. He quickly moved to 4 under par.
:07:35. > :07:43.Simon Dyson had an eagle at the same hole. He picked up quickly
:07:43. > :07:48.where he left off last year and moved to 3 under par.
:07:48. > :07:55.The European Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal is there is 3
:07:55. > :08:00.under, holding this great putt at the thinker. Michael Hoey won the
:08:00. > :08:05.North of Ireland Amateur Championship around this course.
:08:05. > :08:11.This was his third birdie of the day, but the leader is Englishman,
:08:11. > :08:15.Mark Foster. This was his sixth birdie, he heads the Irish Open
:08:15. > :08:23.leaderboard. So there is confirmation. Harrington a couple
:08:23. > :08:26.of shots off the lead. It is another McIlroy, not Rory, but
:08:26. > :08:32.Dermot, an amateur from Northern Ireland, also making an early
:08:32. > :08:38.impression. It is time to join the commentary team. We take it up on
:08:38. > :08:42.the fourth tee with Padraig Harrington.
:08:42. > :08:48.It is a fantastic golf course. There is no question about it. The
:08:48. > :08:52.guys have the weather with them. The wind is there a little, but no
:08:52. > :08:59.rain. Padraig Harrington with a strong swing. It is a fair wi you
:08:59. > :09:04.have to hit like most of them here. Well, luckily, there are 27,000
:09:04. > :09:14.people on the course. A few of them will be around here. They have a
:09:14. > :09:14.
:09:14. > :09:19.chance of finding that. I do enjoy watching this man play
:09:19. > :09:24.as well. That will do.
:09:24. > :09:34.The course is a little softer than it would be, I think that it helps
:09:34. > :09:36.
:09:36. > :09:46.the players. Beauty.
:09:46. > :10:00.
:10:00. > :10:10.butter wouldn't do. So, Mark Foster a chance to get it
:10:10. > :10:14.
:10:14. > :10:24.set. Well, he has his eye in today! I think we have a bit of rain
:10:24. > :10:24.
:10:25. > :10:34.forecast. It is due to start raining heavily later on.
:10:35. > :10:44.
:10:44. > :10:54.Padraig Harrington, four birdies. He is looking for the gap.
:10:54. > :10:55.
:10:55. > :11:05.Very commercial decision. Now two lovely shots into this
:11:05. > :11:09.
:11:09. > :11:15.green, this one for a birdie 3. He will remain at 4 under par.
:11:15. > :11:24.He has really matured as a golfer in the last couple of seasons. The
:11:24. > :11:34.brewing in China. Followed up with the -- the break through in China.
:11:34. > :11:55.
:11:55. > :12:05.Then following it up in Spain. satisfactory. Mark Foster. Calamity
:12:05. > :12:06.
:12:06. > :12:14.today playing at 193 yards and a big drop down the right. This is
:12:14. > :12:24.one of the many scary holes. That rain is not far away. It is looking
:12:24. > :12:33.
:12:33. > :12:43.difficult. He is not far from the green. Come on. He would have hoped
:12:43. > :12:46.
:12:46. > :12:52.for better. I do not believe it! Going for a swim! This of course is
:12:52. > :13:02.the feature group, the one most people have come to see. He has got
:13:02. > :13:31.
:13:31. > :13:37.birdie at the 14th. Come, come, come! So many players using that
:13:37. > :13:47.thicker grip. They have found a way to make it lighter. These are very
:13:47. > :14:01.
:14:01. > :14:09.allowing for that much. First dropped shot of the day. He will
:14:09. > :14:16.meet to pick up a few shots before the finish. Bogey for Harrington.
:14:16. > :14:26.He slips back to 3-under par. First dropped shot of the day. Mark
:14:26. > :14:37.
:14:37. > :14:47.Foster leading. A couple of shots Out towards the ocean. Eight could
:14:47. > :14:54.
:14:54. > :14:59.This is a relatively new team that the players will be playing off in
:14:59. > :15:03.this tournament. It is not the longest part of the golf course but
:15:03. > :15:07.probably the most picturesque. The drive will be played out to the
:15:07. > :15:12.sand hills. The longer players will be able to carry on the right hand
:15:12. > :15:18.side. Most of the players will be forced a bit to the left. That
:15:18. > :15:22.makes the second shot a bit longer into the green. The green is
:15:22. > :15:32.perched above a two tear green. Probably one of the most
:15:32. > :15:40.
:15:40. > :15:50.picturesque holes on the entire Yes, high in the skies. Great shot.
:15:50. > :16:04.
:16:04. > :16:09.He has had a few chances slip by in the last few holes. It is not
:16:09. > :16:16.unusual on the sort of courses. You need a bit of extra pace on the
:16:16. > :16:26.ball to keep them on the line. Tickling its down the slope, but
:16:26. > :16:50.
:16:50. > :17:00.park? First dropped shot of the day. He will be delighted to get it up
:17:00. > :17:01.
:17:01. > :17:11.and down in two. The left to the right, I feel that gets the arms a
:17:11. > :17:12.
:17:12. > :17:22.bit unbalanced. A very good par four. He has left himself with a
:17:22. > :17:38.
:17:38. > :17:48.Nicolas Colsaerts making progress. A bright each -- star from the
:17:48. > :17:50.
:17:50. > :17:58.Indian player as well. -- start. Michael Hoy at the 5th. Getting its
:17:58. > :18:05.tea macro 3-under. Much-fancied this week. Simon Dyson just short
:18:05. > :18:15.of the 7th in two. How about that? The defending champion. Moving
:18:15. > :18:17.
:18:17. > :18:27.along nicely to 4-under. Padraig Harrington for a birdie at seven.
:18:27. > :18:27.
:18:27. > :18:37.Very nice. Back to 4-under. When the Dow. -- Graeme McDowell. A
:18:37. > :18:38.
:18:38. > :19:45.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds
:19:45. > :19:55.disappointing bogey. He drops back way across the par-five 17th green.
:19:55. > :20:13.
:20:13. > :20:17.This is for eagle. Very nicely Local hope as well. A little ugly.
:20:17. > :20:27.He did play 11 rounds in the Amateur Championship up at Troon
:20:27. > :20:31.
:20:31. > :20:33.It is not just about the Major winners. Alan Dunbar has been
:20:33. > :20:43.creating quite a stir after winning the British Amateur Championship
:20:43. > :20:44.
:20:44. > :20:54.last weekend. We were invited along to the homecoming. The 2012 British
:20:54. > :21:01.amateur champion! APPLAUSE... a dream coming from this Golf Club.
:21:01. > :21:07.It shows that when you are going up, it can be done. He has shown that
:21:07. > :21:12.you can do it and he has made it so why can't I do it? I have worked
:21:12. > :21:16.hard all winter with my coach. It is great to see the awards coming
:21:16. > :21:26.through now and I am looking forward to this week, obviously. I
:21:26. > :21:27.
:21:27. > :21:33.cannot wait to get down there I think I have done everything I
:21:33. > :21:37.can in amateur golf. We will have a sit down in the next few days and
:21:37. > :21:44.look at a few things and I will see where I want to go and what the
:21:44. > :21:54.next step is. It feels good and I will build on this and keep working
:21:54. > :22:04.
:22:04. > :22:14.hard and keep trying to move green. It is playing on all of them
:22:14. > :22:36.
:22:36. > :22:42.a bit, B wind. You just cannot be the green the crowd were ducking. I
:22:42. > :22:50.did not see that one. They were ducking on both sides. It was an
:22:50. > :23:00.unhelpful shout of fore. Ace light downslope. He has got to factor
:23:00. > :23:23.
:23:23. > :23:30.of late but has got a chance to get back to 3-under. Beautifully done.
:23:30. > :23:40.Well played, Dermot Michael Wright. One of the amateur players here. He
:23:40. > :23:40.
:23:40. > :24:32.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds
:24:32. > :24:42.has got a big prospect in Irish Foster at the top of the
:24:42. > :25:06.
:25:06. > :25:16.in terms of his opening round. Three players tied at the top.
:25:16. > :25:38.
:25:38. > :25:48.Padraig Harrington at 5-under. We trouble off the tee. This is just
:25:48. > :25:59.
:25:59. > :26:09.for one dropped shot. That was a do not want to absolutely rush bike.
:26:09. > :26:10.
:26:10. > :27:02.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds
:27:02. > :27:12.break at all. It was clearly going from right to left. Just a part. A
:27:12. > :27:19.
:27:19. > :27:29.warm reception bow for the man from 18th.
:27:29. > :27:35.
:27:35. > :27:45.Looking for one more birdie. It would be quite a clubhouse score
:27:45. > :27:50.to post to get. This he held the course of 65 for many years during
:27:50. > :27:59.his amateur career. It has veered to the left.
:27:59. > :28:06.He was going aggressively at it. Foster, let's see if he can fin
:28:06. > :28:12.wish the parr at last. He can. It's a round of 66 for the
:28:12. > :28:17.Englishman. The English players have done
:28:17. > :28:21.fairly well at the Irish Open in the last few years. Three of the
:28:21. > :28:31.last four winners have been fro England.
:28:31. > :28:48.
:28:48. > :28:57.disappointing. It's got to be a 67 for Padraig Harrington.
:28:57. > :29:07.A missed opportunity there. Very much in contention. Jeev
:29:07. > :29:09.
:29:09. > :29:17.Milkha Singh is at 7 under parr: Well, a bit of a topsy-turvy round.
:29:17. > :29:22.Not the start you were hoping for Graeme? Not really. The conditions
:29:22. > :29:28.were more benign than perhaps the Europeans are expecting.
:29:28. > :29:35.1 under par was the most I could have shot. I played the first shots
:29:35. > :29:39.2 under par. I got a jumper out of the wet fairways, over the back and
:29:39. > :29:46.make a double Boeingie. That is a killer blow when most guys are
:29:46. > :29:53.going to birdie that hole, but a nice birdie on 2, hit a close on 3
:29:53. > :29:59.and a frustrating 7. It was a case of what could have been today, but
:29:59. > :30:09.there is no panic button. I did play OK. In a funny way I have
:30:09. > :30:15.
:30:15. > :30:22.played a lot better than my score. I was sure I was going to get it to
:30:22. > :30:27.65. It was not toen. But I still love the golf course.
:30:27. > :30:31.It's a great test. It gives you something. There is lots of birdies
:30:31. > :30:37.to be made out there, but it can take you away.
:30:37. > :30:41.A grade cowed out there for you? Unbelievable. On a wet Thursday
:30:41. > :30:44.morning that was only fit for staying in bed like it was a Sunday
:30:44. > :30:47.afternoon. I thought it was lovely. The
:30:47. > :30:51.conditions were better than I thought they were going to be. I
:30:51. > :30:56.thought it might be like Birkdale last year on the Saturday for the
:30:56. > :31:01.Open, but it was nice. When it was raining the wind was
:31:01. > :31:04.not too strong, but it is such a beautiful place. You can do nothing
:31:04. > :31:09.but look around and enjoy yourself, really.
:31:09. > :31:19.Well, one man enjoying the view is Jeev Milkha Singh coming down the
:31:19. > :31:25.
:31:25. > :31:30.18th. A lovely approach shot.
:31:30. > :31:39.He is setting up his eighth birdie of the day. One Boeingie as well. A
:31:39. > :31:45.round of 6 a. An -- 65. An excellent start.
:31:45. > :31:53.Unfortunately we then had weather issues. There was a storm front
:31:53. > :32:00.that moved in. There was electrical activity. We lost two hours, then
:32:00. > :32:05.the weather changed. A lovely shot there at the ninth.
:32:05. > :32:10.Darren Darren Darren, also appeared to come out a new man after the
:32:10. > :32:18.weather break -- Darren Clarke. A beautiful birdie at the 12th from
:32:18. > :32:28.long range. Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, his third
:32:28. > :32:29.
:32:29. > :32:36.to the par 5 tenths. A lovely touch. Setting up his third birdie of the
:32:36. > :32:42.day, getting him to three under par. Four shots behind Jeev Milkha Singh
:32:42. > :32:48.and we rejoin the action with Keegan Bradely at the tee.
:32:48. > :32:56.Well, Bradley has the nine. Trying to work it around the corner
:32:56. > :33:06.from right to left. The wind must be helping up the
:33:06. > :33:12.
:33:12. > :33:16.hill. It is steeply uphill that tee shot.
:33:16. > :33:20.It is. I think that they are all going to
:33:20. > :33:30.hit irons here. Anything more, you would have to go across the dunes
:33:30. > :33:44.
:33:44. > :33:54.He tried to play with a little more draw. That was not the result he
:33:54. > :34:13.
:34:13. > :34:23.Colin Montgomerie down the hill into the 11th.
:34:23. > :34:23.
:34:23. > :34:33.It is a big drop. We haven't seen anything better
:34:33. > :34:37.
:34:37. > :34:47.than that! Well done, Monty. He has got height on it.
:34:47. > :35:08.
:35:08. > :35:15.Well, from the look of the sky, he down it, but maybe because the
:35:15. > :35:21.course is a little soft. There, a first look at the Causeway
:35:21. > :35:31.with Darren Clarke. Down across the valley.
:35:31. > :36:09.
:36:09. > :36:18.A great shot. Dunluce.
:36:18. > :36:28.That was very well played. Up for a two with Calamity.
:36:28. > :36:33.
:36:33. > :36:37.We have seen a coup of the putts. Still a terrific effort.
:36:37. > :36:41.It would be nice to see him play well again. He has had a shocker
:36:41. > :36:46.since winning the Open Championship. He has been troubled by groin
:36:46. > :36:50.injury, that caused him to miss the US Open recently.
:36:50. > :37:00.It is like he is looking a long way right.
:37:00. > :37:05.
:37:05. > :37:10.It is quick coming off the bank at the back there.
:37:10. > :37:20.No-one catching the leaders yet. It's been impressive stuff on this
:37:20. > :37:33.
:37:33. > :37:38.McIlroy. A wonderful young swing. That is...
:37:38. > :37:44.Truly outstanding. He lock looks on form, Dennis,
:37:44. > :37:49.doesn't he? He certainly does. So here on the 14 tee. Calamity
:37:49. > :37:54.Corner. This one speaks for itself. 210 yards. Up to the hill too. All
:37:54. > :38:01.of this crevasse here. It is a very, very difficult hole. One of the
:38:01. > :38:06.most famous par 3s in the world. The tee is exposed as well. The
:38:06. > :38:10.players are buffered by the wind. It is an intimidating hole, but
:38:10. > :38:15.there is a little bit of respite to the left of the green. A hollow
:38:15. > :38:20.there. And during the Open Championship in
:38:20. > :38:25.1951, Bobby hit a shot in there every single time and made his parr
:38:25. > :38:33.from there. It is a very, very difficult hole, but this is the
:38:33. > :38:41.start of the home stretch here at Royal Portrush.
:38:42. > :38:47.Rory McIlroy moves to 4 under. He is within three of Jeev Milkha
:38:47. > :38:55.Singh. A splendid looking card. No drop-
:38:55. > :39:04.shots. Just a tiny shot down the hill.
:39:04. > :39:14.What a cracker. 22 paces in and five from the drive.
:39:14. > :39:18.
:39:18. > :39:23.That was an excellent effort. Can he get it over the hill and on
:39:23. > :39:33.the downslope between the bunkers? Well, it's over the hill.
:39:33. > :39:48.
:39:48. > :39:58.No-one seemed to move! We have lost Julian. Right, come on, now.
:39:58. > :40:10.
:40:10. > :40:20.He moves to 2 under, Mr Molinari. McGinley, up and over a ridge. Not
:40:20. > :40:31.
:40:31. > :40:38.an easy p, tt, this one. that to the right.
:40:38. > :40:45.I think he should be OK there. Oh, no, it has worked out for him.
:40:45. > :40:52.This has gone right down to the bottom. This could hurt.
:40:52. > :41:01.We hate o to see this. What contact he has made. That is
:41:01. > :41:04.unbelievable! And to stop it like that, alright, into the green but
:41:04. > :41:14.that is ridiculous. Fantastic. He can't believe it himself. Look at
:41:14. > :41:24.
:41:24. > :41:29.that. Well, well, well, we have seen a
:41:29. > :41:35.couple of the most astonishing shots now on the SAT hole from
:41:35. > :41:45.unbelievable situations. Well played to both of them.
:41:45. > :41:45.
:41:45. > :42:30.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds
:42:30. > :42:40.shoulder and down into a bowl. that there is a lovely sense of
:42:40. > :42:52.
:42:52. > :43:02.sure. He did glance to his right all the time. Some focusing
:43:02. > :43:02.
:43:02. > :44:00.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds
:44:00. > :44:05.He is among those to have taken part in the professional and
:44:05. > :44:11.amateur events. He was joined by amateur events. He was joined by
:44:11. > :44:15.stars of stage, screen and other I have not just been enjoying the
:44:15. > :44:20.competitive golf but the professional and amateur tournament.
:44:20. > :44:30.Celebrities from sport and entertainment all in the aid of
:44:30. > :44:40.
:44:40. > :44:50.MUSIC... I had some advice for him. I think he is going to try and
:44:50. > :45:16.
:45:16. > :45:26.avoid the rest of us. He managed a I did not have a good tee shot dead
:45:26. > :45:31.
:45:31. > :45:38.but that was just one of those It is very different here and it is
:45:38. > :45:48.great to be a part of this for this weekend. It is amazing. I would
:45:48. > :45:54.
:45:54. > :46:04.It is great to see it, the Irish success in the last few years. We
:46:04. > :46:04.
:46:04. > :46:10.are delighted with them all. Do you still get nervous for these sorts
:46:10. > :46:20.of events? Yes, especially on the first tee. I am worried that I
:46:20. > :46:31.
:46:31. > :46:41.Yes, these are pretty good trousers. How often do you get to wear these
:46:41. > :47:00.
:47:00. > :47:10.this man, James Marathon -- James Morrison. He gets the keys to a BMW
:47:10. > :47:10.
:47:10. > :47:19.series six Coupe. An excellent performance and a round of 68.
:47:19. > :47:29.Padraig Harrington and Simon Dyson at 5-under. We joined Rory McIlroy
:47:29. > :47:29.
:47:29. > :48:24.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds
:48:25. > :48:34.pretty decent effort from Keegan Bradley. You would expect it to run
:48:35. > :48:58.
:48:58. > :49:08.birdie to finish his round. He needs to get to 2-under. Just a
:49:08. > :49:09.
:49:09. > :49:16.little bit light and left. He will be OK for a par four. He has played
:49:16. > :49:26.well since he came back after that interruption in play. A very good
:49:26. > :49:26.
:49:26. > :50:13.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds
:50:13. > :50:23.The ever says steady Italian. McIlroy, Bertie four. -- birdie
:50:23. > :50:23.
:50:23. > :50:33.four. A little bit light for age macro 5 par for Rory McIlroy. But
:50:33. > :51:09.
:51:09. > :51:19.he remains at 3-under. -- pas five. there spin. A round of 67 for keep
:51:19. > :51:35.
:51:35. > :51:45.warm. Simon Dyson also played that he played earlier was from the
:51:45. > :51:45.
:51:45. > :52:42.Apology for the loss of subtitles for 67 seconds
:52:42. > :52:52.one. Get back to level par. He was Rory McIlroy. For a round in the
:52:52. > :52:53.
:52:53. > :52:59.60s. And he didn't even touch it. That is a great pity. A round of 70.
:52:59. > :53:07.He got to 4-under at one stage and was looking without blemish. But he
:53:07. > :53:17.picked up some bogeys in the last three holes. Just inside the top 50.
:53:17. > :53:44.
:53:44. > :53:50.Disappointing. Five, five, five place to be, Royal Port Rush on the
:53:51. > :53:59.first day of the Irish Open. Coming to a conclusion. An excellent round
:53:59. > :54:09.of golf from the leader of. Eight birdies, one bogey. Andrew Marshall,
:54:09. > :54:10.
:54:10. > :54:14.just one shot back. Simon Dyson is among their is 5-under par. -- the
:54:14. > :54:20.among their is 5-under par. -- the players. Darren Clarke finishes
:54:20. > :54:28.with 1-under par. A tale of two nines. I got off to a pretty good
:54:28. > :54:33.start. But I made a really stupid mistake with those bogeys. We had a
:54:33. > :54:37.bit of a delay probably at the right time and I went back out and
:54:37. > :54:44.was 3-under from there. I had a few chances but to get back under-par
:54:44. > :54:52.was pretty good. All in all I cannot complain. A bit
:54:52. > :54:56.disappointing on the 17th. I had a really good chance for the birdie.
:54:56. > :55:00.I had a couple of spaces in front of me and I could not get
:55:00. > :55:09.comfortable. I had a couple of chances and a couple of good shots
:55:09. > :55:15.at 14 and 15. But I cannot complain. One undergoing back out there.
:55:15. > :55:21.first real test today. People have said it feels like the Open.
:55:21. > :55:24.does and it has been a wonderful atmosphere. I think it is a
:55:24. > :55:29.testament to the fact that we have the Irish Open among the big
:55:29. > :55:37.tournaments of the year. It is wonderful to see the Irish Open at
:55:37. > :55:41.Royal Portrush. Brilliant. I saw you play with your son in the
:55:41. > :55:46.professional and amateur tournament yesterday and he enjoyed it. Yes,
:55:46. > :55:56.definitely. The game has been good to me for a very long time and to
:55:56. > :56:01.
:56:01. > :56:07.be involved in that was very -- That was a very disappointing
:56:07. > :56:15.finish to what was looking like a very nice round. I felt like I
:56:15. > :56:22.played some nice golf for 15 holes and then some bogeys. I had a loose
:56:22. > :56:27.shot at 16 and three dropped shots. The 17 was slightly disappointing.
:56:28. > :56:33.It was not a great way to finish. But I will get out there tomorrow
:56:33. > :56:40.and get a few shots back quickly. Is there a score to be made about
:56:40. > :56:47.the conditions? Yes, Forshaw. If you can get a round of 65, in these
:56:47. > :56:53.conditions, that is great. What about the fantastic support today
:56:53. > :56:59.on the first sell-out day? It is phenomenal. It is a great
:56:59. > :57:04.atmosphere. It is a pleasure to play in front of so many people. It
:57:04. > :57:09.would have been nicer if I had shot a better score. But I hope I can do
:57:09. > :57:15.that tomorrow. That is the end of a fabulous opening day at the Irish
:57:15. > :57:19.Open. From the course point of view it has been running very well,
:57:19. > :57:25.apart from the weather conditions. We had the wet weather to begin
:57:25. > :57:30.with but that was good scoring for the people early on. Then we had a
:57:30. > :57:34.bit of rain and the other delays this afternoon. But it ended up
:57:34. > :57:40.absolutely fantastic. The course has held up extremely well under
:57:40. > :57:48.the conditions with all the rain we have had and we are very fortunate
:57:48. > :57:53.that it just goes straight through the sand. Padraig Harrington is
:57:53. > :57:57.right in there. This is a course that he loves. He does and he is
:57:57. > :58:02.playing really well. He has got form back in the last couple of
:58:02. > :58:05.weeks and he is going to be a contender on Sunday. Fantastic to
:58:05. > :58:11.see Rory McIlroy doing well and Darren Clarke coming back after the
:58:11. > :58:16.rain delay as well. Graeme McDowell out early this morning. He is a bit
:58:16. > :58:20.disappointed and it could have been better. He knows this caused very
:58:20. > :58:24.well. But he will be encouraged by how he played today and he will get