SWEDEN’S OSCAR FLOREN will take a slender one-shot lead into the second day of the Irish Open at Carton House.
The 29-year-old carded a bogey-free 66 to go six under par, one shot ahead of a cluster of five players tied for second.
Included in that group are home favourite Shane Lowry and Michael Hoey, the latter recovering from an early bogey to birdie two of his final four holes before the turn and before his 18th.
Rory McIlroy also birdied the last, but his day was nothing to be cheerful about as a round of 74 put him two over par and looking likely to miss the weekend’s play. The Down man blamed the poor showing on his driver, cutting a frustrated figure watching his tee-shots miss the fairway left and right.
He may be World Number two, but fans may soon choose to follow lesser lights as Ireland is well represented the upper section of the leaderboard.
Cian McNamara is only two shots off the lead with Simon Thornton and Seamus Power one further back on -3.
Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley managed three birdies on his way to two under. Close behind him, Graeme McDowell and Padraig Harrington ended up on the same score despite very, different experiences on the course.
McDowell managed 15 pars through 18 holes, while Harrington had to scramble up and down the board all day with three bogeys and four birdies.
To see the full leaderboard, click here
