Thomas Bjorn picked himself up from the trauma of St Georges to hit a brilliant 64 to hold the lead after the first round of the Irish Open at Portmarnock.
The round included nine birdies including a majestic effort from a bunker on the 11th. At eight under par the Dane is two shots clear of Michael Campbell who is, at last, starting to regain his form again after an injury.
England's Paul Broadhurst lies in third, a shot behinfd the Kiwi. Padraig Harrington is the best of the Irish after a 69. Brendan McGovern carded the same score, but Darren Clarke is still in the grips of a mini-slump after a disappointing 75.
England's Mark Roe, who may well have been in contention for the Open, had it not been for the 'card mix-up' checked his card today 47 times today before leaving the recorders hut.
After the careful scrutiny, a 69 will lie opposite his name. Meanwhile, Andy Sutton, who caddied for shock Open champion Ben Curtis, was back with his usual boss John Bickerton and returned a one under par 71.
'I was on such a high after what happened at the weekend and now the adrenaline is starting to come out I'm feeling drained,' said Sutton, who had never met Curtis until picking up his bag.
Filed by James McMahon
