The Offaly man is one shot off the top.
Shane Lowry made a strong start at the PGA Championship in yesterday's opening round.
The Clara golfer carded 68 to sit on two-under-par, behind the seven-strong group leading on three-under.
Rory McIlroy had a difficult first day, carding five bogeys in his last six holes to sit on four-over.
The Masters champion believes his recent struggles off the tee are to blame:
Our coverage of this year’s PGA Championship is with thanks to Keenan Bauer Motors Mullingar. Your home for Citroen and Honda in the Midlands - Keenanbauer.com
Full Interview: Portarlington Footballer Ronan Coffey
Full Interview: The Down's Manager Dermot Power
St Brigid's And St Joseph's Aiming To Reach Leinster Semi-Finals
Ballinagar And Milltown To Meet In Leinster Intermediate Quarter-Final
Ronan Coffey Praises Portarlington’s Young Guns Ahead Of Leinster Quarter-Final
Mauricio Pochettino Set To Be Appointed Manchester United Manager
Darragh Murray Named In Irish Squad For Fiji Clash
Portlaoise Panthers Aiming To Bounce Back In Division One
Portarlington On The Road In Leinster
The Down's Building Towards Leinster Football Quarter-Final
Laois Provisional League Fixtures Revealed
The Harps Manager Praises His Sides Efforts In Leinster
Buccaneers Claim Back To Back AIL Wins
Kilcormac Killoughey Captain Full Of Praise For Goalkeeper
Lough Lene Gaels Suffer Late Heartbreak In Leinster Quarter-Final
Crookedwood Win Leinster Junior Camogie Title
Conor Slevin Wins Dramatic Leinster Quarter-Final For Kilcormac Killoughey
Ireland Secure Comfortable Win Over Argentina
Kilcormac Killoughey Seal Win But Heartbreak For Lough Lene Gaels And The Harps