Green takes share of Irish Open lead

Australian Richard Green has birdied three of the last five holes to grab a share of the lead at 6-under 66 after the first round of the Irish Open.

Jeev Milka Singh, who parred his final hole despite hitting his third shot over the green and into a bush at Adare Manor, was tied with Green.

"I absolutely love this course and I've been working hard at home on my game," Green said.

"I always do that but I've been working for this part of the season."

The Australian began his round with a birdie at the 10th, and he then added three in succession from the 14th, including a 25-footer at No.15.

He dropped his only shot at the first before his closing run of birdies.

Singh has finished second twice this year. He faced a 75-yard lob wedge for this third shot at the last hole, but hit it over the green into a bushy tree, from where he had a very short backswing.

"I just wanted to get it out," the Indian said.

"I didn't care where it went. But it came out perfectly and then the putt went in."

Singh also eagled the long 7th after a 3-wood to 8 feet.

Bradley Dredge (68) birdied two of the last three holes and shared third place with Marcel Siem, Johan Edfors and Michael Lorenzo-Vera.

Peter Lawrie, who birdied four of the last six holes to win the Spanish Open two weeks ago, did that again Thursday for a 71.

Darren Clarke (72), however, was critical of the 7,453-yard course in central Ireland near Limerick.

"It was ridiculously difficult this afternoon with some of the pin positions we had. We were hitting 3-irons to flags that were completely inaccessible," Clarke said.

"It takes all the fun away and the ability to shoot a good score away."