Danny Willett returned to the European Tour for the first time since winning the Masters and he made his presence felt on day one of the Irish Open.
Willett was the best player at the K Club Thursday with a seven-under par 65 that put him two shots in front of host Rory McIlroy.
A wild drive right at the par four 17th cost Willett a perfect scorecard and a chance to shoot 64. A bogey there then a birdie at 18 put him at the top of the pack on a day that featured very different weather conditions for the early and late starters.
The morning wave saw temperatures in the high 40 and light rain. The afternoon players, Willett and McIlroy among them, had warmer, sunny conditions with a little more wind.
McIlroy birdied the par five 18th to finish his round and put himself solo second as he looks for his highest finish-ever in the Irish Open. He’s never been in the top five in his career at this event.
Three shots back of Willett were South Africa’s Jaco Van Zyl and Englishman Callum Shinkwin.
