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KILLARNEY: England's David Howell set the early pace at the Irish Open with a seven under par 64 that sent him to the top of the first round leaderboard on Thursday.
Howell was one shot ahead of second placed Richard Green of Australia, who went round in six under par, and two in front of six players, including Paul Lawrie and Darren Clarke, who all carded a five under par 66.
With plenty of players still out on the course, there was time for the leaderboard to change.
Like Howell Clarke had also turned on the style to continue his recent revival by outscoring fellow Ulsterman Rory McIlroy by one shot.
The 41-year-old had been in woeful form until a month ago when he won the JP McManus Pro-am and finished second in the Scottish Open in the same week.
That has put him back in contention for a Ryder Cup recall - even though European captain Colin Montgomerie named him as one of his assistants a week ago - and an invitation to the US PGA has further boosted his hopes.
"That was a great bonus before the tournament started," said Clarke, who did not miss a green in regulation and did not drop a stroke.
Green birdied four of the last seven holes to help his bid to win a third European Tour title.
He finished with a 30-foot double-breaking putt and said: "I felt very comfortable when I first saw the course.
"For a change it's a little bit old school. I'm not one of the longer hitters and over the last five years European Tour courses have got so long and difficult."
Former British Open champion Paul Lawrie reached six under as well, but bogeyed the last to slip back alongside Clarke.
McIlroy's eight birdies were three more than Clarke, but the world number eight - he is the highest-ranked player taking part - dropped four strokes in six holes around the turn.
Former winner Padraig Harrington and US Open champion Graeme McDowell were among the later starters, but Justin Rose's Ryder Cup chances suffered a jolt with an opening three over 74.
Paul McGinley, another of Montgomerie's Ryder Cup assistants, raced to five under with an eagle and three birdies in the first seven, but in the end had to settle for a three under 68.
England's Robert Rock hit four birdies in the last six holes to hit a six under par 65, but he was then was disqualified for signing for a wrong score.
Rock, seventh in the British Open two weeks ago, did not spot that his card had him down for a par on the 14th and birdie at the next instead of the other way around.
He said: "It's my fault. I checked it, but didn't see it and it's my job to do that.
"I don't think I've been disqualified for anything before. I'd have preferred it to be after an 80!"
- AFP/de
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