Eight years ago Michael Campbell captured the Irish Open in the week after the Open Championship at Royal St. George’s.

Now drawing on the inspiration of Darren Clarke’s Open Championship success also at Royal St. George’s Campbell shot a sizzling five-under par 66 on the first day of the Irish Open.

Campbell, who captured the 2003 Irish Open, ended the round trailing three strokes behind India’s Jeev Milka Singh who found the shortest route around the Killarney Golf and Fishing Club course.

Frenchman Alexandre Kaleka is in second place on six under par with Campbell among three a shot further back.

Campbell was one over par after eight holes before unleashing a super last 10 holes.

The proud New Zealander birdied the 9th and 10th holes and while he dropped a shot at the 12th, Campbell finished off his day with back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15.

He then eagled the par five, 16th and birdied 17 before ending with a par for an inward nine of just 31.

“I was really pleased with the play and to end the round the way I did, is further indication how well I have been playing lately,” he said.

“It’s a further confidence lift and in an event I have won before, so I’m really looking forward to the next three days.”

And acting as inspiration to the Callaway player was seeing Clarke capture last fortnight’s Open Championship at Royal St. George’s.

“I’ve known Darren for as long as I have been playing on the European Tour and to see him win a Major at age 42 was fantastic,” said Campbell.

“I’m now 42 so it shows that us 40-somethings can still play this game.”