Host Paul McGinley was in a five-way tie for second, just a shot behind leader Steen Tinning of Denmark, after opening with a two-under 69 in the Irish Legends presented by McGinley Foundation at Rosapenna’s Old Tom Morris Links.

“I’m lucky I still love it,” said McGinley, who was two over at the turn but managed to turn it around on the back nine, recording five birdies and bogey.

“I’m 55 years old and I love my golf. It’s easy when you’re putting on the golf shoes and you’re going out and doing something you want to do and I also love competing.

“I’m coming off a decent run of form from two weeks ago when I finished second at The JCB so all in all it’s a good package and you kind of switch into another compartment in your brain. I was slow out of the blocks today but I got better as the day went on.”

Scores

Two-time DP World Tour winner Tinning started the day with four birdies on the front nine and a bogey on the sixth hole as he battled the difficult conditions coming from Sheephaven Bay.

But the Dane remained consistent finishing on a respectable three under par at the Old Tom Morris Links.

He finished in joint 10th position last year and admits that you have to have specific skills in your game to get around the course effectively, however, he really enjoys playing and the challenge at Rosapenna.

“I love playing here,” Tinning said. “I played well last year also and it’s a great test, you have to have all your skills around this golf course to shoot under par, I love it, I love the wind, the seaside, the links and I just enjoy being here.

“I’d say probably eight or nine holes were favourable for scoring and then the wind picked up on the back nine and made it very difficult.

“It’s one of those things, I wasn’t driving the ball well, but I hit a lot of good iron shots, I was in the rough so many times hitting funny shots from the rough to the greens, but I had a lot of luck also, it has to happen when you are not hitting these fairways.”

Markus Brier and Jarmo Sandelin also join McGinley in joint second place on two under par along with Paul Eales of England and Italy’s Emanuele Canonica. 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie sits a shot further back in joint seventh place alongside Michael Jonzon of Sweden.

Golf Channel’s Brandel Chamblee was 41st after a 75.

The second round of the Irish Legends presented by McGinley Foundationbegins at 7:30 am with Tinning teeing it up alongside Englishman Mark James at 8:00 am.