Golf: Tough start for NZers in Irish Open

Stephen Scahill is the best of the two New Zealand golfers after the first round of the Irish Open on the European Tour.

Scahill has fired an even par 72 on the Carlton House course to be four shots off the pace being set by Sweden's Klaus Eriksson and England's Nick Dougherty who are a shot clear of England's Stephen Dodd and another Swede Mattias Eliasson.

Scahill is in a tie for 27th and says he is getting used to the difficult layout, and while he would not want to play there every week, it is growing on him.

Scahill says even if it is dead calm the course is tough and the key is driving the ball well which he did to make things a lot easier.

He is pleased with his effort, saying it was easier playing in the morning with calmer conditions and when the greens were slightly better.

Michael Campbell, fresh from a fourth place finish at the British Masters, could only manage a two over par 74 and is well down the field.

Campbell is in a tie for 82nd.

- NEWSTALK ZB