Masters champion Danny Willett leads Irish Open

Danny Willett opened up a two-shot lead during the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open earlier today.

This year's Masters champion failed to make the cut at TPC Sawgrass last week, but he made amends at the K Club by firing in eight birdies and a bogey to leave him on seven-under.

Meanwhile, world number three Rory McIlroy is two shots further back at his home tournament, having picked up six shots, only to then drop one back.

McIlroy, who has failed to make any of the last three cuts, is still without a competition triumph this season.

England's Callum Shinkwin and Jaco van Zyl lie a stroke behind in third, while the likes of Soren Kjeldsen, Ross Fisher, Martin Kaymer and Brett Rumford are all in contention.