Fox and Barrett set a new standard

The framed score-card of Eamon Brady's round of 67 hanging in the locker-room at Royal Dublin has had short enough exposure to club patrons over the last 12 months.

In benign conditions and with a quality field, the first round of the Ulster Bank Irish Amateur Open Championship saw the formidable links course oddly humbled as the record fell to two players and was equalled by four others.

Defending champion Noel Fox of Portmarnock and East Cork's Michael Barrett posted the new course record 66 with Bangor's Garth McGimpsey, Belvoir Park's Andrew Morris, Stephen Browne from Hermitage and 23rd reserve for the event, Dundalk's Peter Rogers, all equalling Brady's score from the final round of last year's competition.

Fox, also the East of Ireland champion, made light of his wonderful opening, which finished with him sinking a 30-foot birdie putt on the 18th in front of a small gallery.

After a level par front nine during which he struck the ball well but failed to score, Fox moved from being one over after 10 holes and "irritated" to playing some of his best golf of his career on the run in. He finished with a breathless eagle, par, eagle, birdie, birdie for the last five holes.

"The last five were a bit of a blur. I don't know what happened," said the 27-year-old before modestly declaring. "If you want a really strict par today with the drivers and the new balls you're looking at 67."

Barrett went out in 35 with two bogeys and two birdies but strung together a four-hole run between the 11th and 14th for eagle, birdie, birdie, eagle. A bogey on the 18th cost him the outright lead.

The 28-year-old sank a 60foot putt on the par-five 11th, hit a five iron to four feet on the par-three 12th, took a driver and seven iron to five feet at the par-four 13th before another monster putt from 60 feet on the 455-metre par-five 14th.

"I played dynamite all day," said Barrett. "I'd a 66 in Mullingar last year but this is one of my best rounds."

A significant bunch of players are all well placed for today's play with 15 in total scoring in the 60s and within three strokes of the leaders.