Harrington makes solid start

Padraig Harrington made a solid start in the Dunhill Links Championship when returning to the scene of his British Open triumph at Carnoustie.

Though five strokes off British leader Steve Webster, the Dubliner did not disappoint in his first European appearance since that Open victory in July.

Three months ago, Harrington double-bogeyed the infamous Carnoustie finishing hole before going on to win his first major title. This time, he birdied it on his way to a two-under 70.

At the British Open, Harrington survived hitting two shots into the Barry Burn on the final hole.

This time he spurned the driver off the tee in favour of a three-wood and it paid dividends as he split the fairway, enabling him to hit the green with his second shot and hole a 15ft putt.

"In years to come I'm sure I won't remember the birdie I made on 18 this week," Harrington joked.

"It was a lot different anyway, to the Open. For a start it was my ninth hole.  Today I played a three-wood and nine-iron and in the Open I played a driver and seven-iron.

"I spent a lot of the round reliving the shots from the Open," Harrington added. "The fact that I'm the Open champion probably put a little bit of extra expectation on me, so I'm pretty pleased with myself."

The 36-year-old Dubliner's goal is the successful defence of the European order of merit, which he currently leads.

"This is one of four big-money events to come and one of the chasing pack behind me is going to win one of them," he said.

"I'd be unlucky not to win the order of merit if I won one of them and that is my goal."

Webster was only a stroke worse than the Carnoustie course record as the Englishman headed the fields over three courses - Carnoustie, St Andrews and Kingsbarns.

Webster, the 2005 Italian Open winner, fully proved the old golfing adage to 'beware the injured golfer'.

The 32-year-old Englishman produced his eight-birdie round after an enforced five-week layoff with a lower back injury.

"I'm not getting carried away," Webster told reporters. "But I'm delighted because I've never even broken 70 at Carnoustie before."

Mercedes Benz Championship winner Soren Hansen, one of those just behind Harrington in the money-list, another Carnoustie British Open winner Paul Lawrie of Britain, South African Hennie Otto and Australia's Scott Strange are tied for second place.

World number five Ernie Els and Finn Mikko Ilonen, looking for a third title of the season, are in the group two shots off the lead.

Harrington's nearest rival in the order of merit, Justin Rose of Britain, is a further stroke back.

Paul McGinley joins Harrington at two under while Rory mcIlroy, Gary Murphy and Damien McGrane are a further shot behind.  Darren Clarke in level par.