Paul Lawrie showed glimpses of a return to top form at the Irish Open at County Louth by carding an impressive 66 in the first round.

The 1999 Open champion had a bogey-free round in his six-under par score but was still three shots behind Italy's Francisco Molinari, who broke the course record with a nine-under par 63.

And Lawrie admits he always feels at home on the links courses having been brought up on them in Aberdeen.

"I prefer links golf and all of the hard work I've been putting in on my game has started to pay off," said Lawrie.

"I've even been putting in my room at night, which I've never done in the past and I feel I've got a chance with it again."

Fellow Scot Marc Warren was a shot further back with a 67 while Stephen Gallacher carded a 68 and David Drysdale a 69.

And European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie finally found some form after a poor run by recording a two-under par 70.