A double-bogey on the sixth was the lone blot in Shiv Kapur's three-under 68 which earned him a share of the 25th spot.

But SSP Chowrasia seemed in danger of missing the cut after carding a 74 in the opening round of the 3 Irish Open in Killarney (Ireland).

Kapur struck five birdies against a lone double bogey, while Chowrasia had just three birdies to show against five bogeys and a double bogey which left him tied 128th.

Kapur found his first birdie on the third hole before the double bogey on the sixth pulled him back. But the Delhi-pro made amends with back-to-back birdies on the seventh and eighth to be one-under at the turn.

In his flawless back-nine, Kapur parred seven holes before closing it off with consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th.

Chowrasia, on the other hand, had a tough day after starting of with a birdie. Four bogeys after the opening hole birdie had him three-over at the end of a wretched front-nine.

Things did not improve much in the back-nine either and Chowrasia stumbled to a double bogey and a bogey before pulling off a couple of birdies to end the day on a slightly positive note.

At the top, Englishman David Howell grabbed the lead with a 64 in the opening round.