Thomas Bjorn is the clubhouse leader in the Nissan Irish Open at Portmarnock.
He holds a two shot lead over New Zealander Michael Campbell and English duo Paul Broadhurst and Simon Khan after shooting a superb eight-under-par 64.
Bjorn, starting on the 10th, quickly found his rhythm with birdies at three of his first six holes. He maintained that form after the turn and sank a further six birdies with a bogey five at the par four eight the only blot on his copy book.
The Dane suffered the disappointment of falling away in last weekend's British Open when holding a three-shot lead with four to play.
Tournament and local favourite Padraig Harrington finished his round strongly with two birdies in his final four holes for a 69. He sits five shots off Bjorn's lead and is joined on that mark by Brendan McGovern.
Darren Clarke double-bogeyed the first - his 10th - but recovered to birdie two of the next three holes. However, a bogey-par-par-bogey close left the Tyrone man with a three-over-par 75.
