Pat Ruddy's monster-sized Brittas Bay links proved to be far too tough a test for the best amateurs in the country as scores soared into the 80s.

But 17-year-old defending champion McIlroy and 53year-old Portmarnock veteran Morrow proved equal to the task as the carded oneunder par rounds of 70 in perfect conditions . . . the only factor that saved many from even higher scores.

"It's as tough a course as I have played, ever, " said Limerick's Pat Murray, who double-bogeyed the sixth and treble-bogeyed the seventh on his way to a 78. "Bar a hurricane wind, it doesn't get tougher than this. It's just a tough course to get around and finish with a good score.

"Miss a fairway and you are looking like losing a ball.

Miss a green, the same. There is no let up at all the whole way through. It gets monotonous, almost. It tests your patience."

McIlroy looked set to break Tiger Woods's course record of 67 when he birdied the 12th, 17th and 18th to turn in three under par.

Bogeys at the fourth and seventh ended that dream and he parred his way home to top the leaderboard alongside Morrow, who went to the turn in one-over par after following a birdie at the 10th with bogeys at the 14th and 18th.

He birdied the sixth and eighth coming home for a his 70 as East of Ireland champion Brendan McCarroll took a nine at the par five third en route to an 82.

"I'm happy with my score, to be honest, " McIlroy said.

"To shoot under par on this golf course anytime is a good score, so I am pretty pleased because the wind is getting up this afternoon and it is getting tougher. I was out at the right time and I made the most of it."

Donal O'Brien from Laytown and Bettystown and Clandeboye's Jonathan Caldwell, the runner up in last week's East of Ireland at Baltray, were the next best on one over par 72.