Jeev takes three-shot lead at Irish Open

Killarney, Ireland: Jeev Milkha Singh riding high on a top-10 finish last week carded a stunning eight-under 63 to take a three-shot lead after the opening round of the Irish Open here on Thursday.

Jeev, whose last title win was in 2008, the year he won four times - twice each in Europe and Japan, had an error-free round and was especially sensational in the middle of the round.

After being one-under in the first six holes, he eagled the seventh, birdied the eighth and turned in four-under. Then he birdied 10th, 11th and 12th to be seven-under through 12 holes.

But the Chandigarh-golfer had only one more birdie on the 14th and missed a couple of others to finish at 63.

"Anytime you shoot a round like that, you have to be pleased. I know my game is fine, it is just a question of getting things together," said Jeev, who has four titles on the European Tour.

"I am finally free of injuries looking forward to scoring well. The rest will follow. It is a great field with guys like Darren (Clarke) and Rory (McIlroy)."

Last week he had his best finish of 2011 in tied for sixth at Nordea Masters.

Among other Indians, Shiv Kapur was even par through 12 holes, while SSP Chowrasia carded a 73.

The Open winner, Darren Clarke shot two-under 69 and was tied 24th, while the US Open winner, Rory McIroy had a double bogey finish in his 70.

Defending champion Ross Fisher shot a four under par opening 67 at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club but he was joined by Australian Richard Green, Swede Niklas Lemke, Dane Sren Hansen and home Irishman Colm Moriarty.

Meanwhile Rory McIlroy pulled off what he called "one of the best shots I've ever hit", but was left wishing he had produced another on the last hole.

Playing his first tournament on home soil since his runaway US Open Championship victory in June, the 22-year-old saved par on the 14th after a spectacular hook round the trees from deep rough.

But, three-under par McIlroy went from a fairway bunker into water and double-bogeyed.

Lemke, in the event because of his third-placed finish in the Nordea Masters on Sunday, went to five under on the 17th but he bogeyed the last.