He is six shots back from American Omar Uresti who opened with a seven under par 65.
Former US Open champion Michael Campbell has shot a one over par 73 in round one of the Irish Open at Royal Portrush to be in a share of 116th place.
The Irish Open champion of 2003, who last week finished tied 60th at the BMW International in Germany for his best result of the year, had a double bogey, bogey and two birdies for his 73 on a day of hot scoring in the wind and the rain.
Campbell will begin round two eight shots back from the leaders Jeev Milkha Singh (India) and Gregory Bourdy (France) who opened with superb rounds of seven under par 65 at the first Irish Open in Northern Ireland since 1953.
Singh was impressed by the huge number of fans who braved the elements to see the return of the Irish Open to the north.
"The atmosphere and the feel to the golf course is fantastic," the 40-year-old said. "When you have so many people cheering and watching, I think you feel great."