Smyth fights back in Ginn Championship

Des Smyth recovered from a slow start to open with a one-over par 73 in the $2.5 million Ginn Championship at Hammock Beach Resort in Florida

The Laytown man bogeyed four of his first five holes but bounced back with three birdies to finish the day seven shots behind leader Lonnie Nielsen, who hit a six-under par 66.

Bernhard Langer and Fred Funk are one stoke off the pace after 67s while Sandy Lyle (74) and Ian Woosnam (78) struggled.