Green, J. Singh share early lead at Irish Open

ADARE, Ireland -- Australia's Richard Green birdied three of the last five holes for a 6-under 66 Thursday to share the early first-round lead in the Irish Open at Adare Manor.

Green was tied with Jeev Milka Singh of India, who made a par 5 at his last hole, the 9th, despite hitting his third shot over the green and into a bush.

Rory McIlroy had a 2-under 70, while defending champion Padraig Harrington shot 72.

Colin Montgomerie, trying to improve on a lowly world ranking of 88th, opened with a 75, including a double bogey 7 at the seventh, his 16th hole.

Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Lee Westwood were late starters.

Green tied for fourth here last year.

"I absolutely love this course and I've been working hard at home on my game," said the Australian lefthander, who has not played many events in recent months. "I always do that but I've been working for this part of the season."

Green's ambition is to earn a playing card for the U.S. Tour.

Green began his round at the 10th and birdied it, then added three in succession from the 14th, including a 25-footer at 15. He dropped his only shot at the first before his closing run of birdies.

Singh has finished second twice this year, losing to McDowell in a playoff in South Korea in March.

He faced a 75-yard lob wedge for this third shot at the last hope, but thinned it over the green into a bushy tree, from where he had a very short backswing.

"I just wanted to get it out," he said. "I didn't care where it went. But it came out perfectly and then the putt went in."

Singh eagled the long 7th with a 3-wood second shot to 8 feet.