Roe on the ball as Open gets under way

Play has got underway in the Nissan Irish Open at Portmarnock.

Play has got underway in the Nissan Irish Open at Portmarnock.

England's Mark Roe, disqualified from the British Open championship on Saturday when he and playing partner Jesper Parnevik forgot to exchange cards, was among the early starters.

"Is this my card?" Roe joked as he walked onto the first tee. He swapped cards with playing partners Malcolm Mackenzie and Costantino Rocca before driving off.

One spectator caught Rocca's attention and said: "Make sure he's got the right card." The Italian wagged his finger disapprovingly but Roe received a warm reception when his name was announced and tipped his cap appreciatively to the small number of fans.

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A super drive left him with only 40 yards from the green at the 370-yard 10th, but he left his pitch 18 feet short and had to settle for par.

Compatriot Lee James birdied the hole and the 428-yard 11th and at two under led by one from Mackenzie, fellow Englishmen Gary Evans, Andrew Raitt and Shaun Webster, Welshman Mark Pilkington, Spaniard Carlos Rodiles and Swedes Mikael Lundberg and Peter Hedblom.

Roe did birdie the 11th, but followed with a bogey at the 160-yard 12th. At level par he was three behind James, who, after dropping a stroke at the short 15th, eagled the 577-yard next.

Thomas Bjorn, who lost the Open from three ahead with four to play on Sunday, started with a birdie at the 10th. The Dane is determined to focus on the positives from last week.

Playing partner and tournament favourite Padraig Harrington parred the hole while Darren Clarke bogeyed the 11th to slide to one over.