Padraig Harrington rediscovered some form to fire a three under par 68 at The European Club in the opening round of the Ladbrokes,com Irish PGA Championship.
The Open champion, who is bidding for a third successive Irish PGA title, finished the first round one shot adrift of leader Leslie Walker from Dundalk.
Five successive missed cuts have provoked widespread speculation about the state of Harrington's game but the Dubliner shrugged off any signs of pressure with two birdies in his opening three holes.
Further gains at 11 and 14 took him to four under before a dropped shot at 17 soured an otherwise impressive round of scoring.
Walker leads after a 67 with birdies on the first, third, 13 and 17th holes. Seamus McMonagle is in third place a stroke behind Harrington while a clutch of six players are at one under par.
Marian Riordan (Greystones), who was making history as the first woman to play in the championship since its inception in 1907, was in a share of 68th place after a nine over par 80.
First round leaderboard here.
08 July, 2009