LAST UPDATE | 25 Jul

IRELAND’S PÁDRAIG HARRINGTON has made a strong start at the ISPS HANDA Senior Open, where his is four shots off the early lead.

The Dubliner carded a first round of 67 in Berkshire to sit in a share of fifth on three-under.

New Zealand’s Steven Alker leads the field after a sizzling 63, with Australian Mark Hensby a shot further back on six-under and USA’s Joe Durant and KJ Choi of Japan tied for third on four-under.

Harrington opened with a birdie on the first on Thursday, picking up further shots on the front nine on holes three and nine. He shot bogeys on the fourth and sixth.

After another bogey on the 12th, he nailed three birdies in a row on the 13th, 14th, and 15th, before making in four in five on the 17th. The three-time Major winner finished his day with a dropped shot on the last.

Harrington tees off for his second round at 1.58pm this afternoon.

• You can view the leaderboard here

Seamus Power pictured at the 3M Open. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Elsewhere, Séamus Power carded a 67 in the opening round of the 3M Open in Minnesota.

The Waterford native had a mixed opening nine holes with birdies on the fifth and sixth offset by bogeys on the second and ninth.

But the 38-year-old finished strongly, with birdies on the 10th, 14th, 16th and 18th, leaving him four under par.

It still left Power seven shots adrift of the clubhouse leader, Adam Svensson, who registered an impressive 60.

The Canadian’s bogey-free round included nine birdies and an eagle on the final hole to leave him 11 under par.

• You can view the leaderboard here.

- First published Thursday 11.05pm, updated Friday 8.15am with Pádraig Harrington’s round.