ROB DINWIDDIE has started solidly at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.

Dinwiddie is comfortably adrift of US Masters champion Danny Willett at the K Club.

But the Barnard Castle golfer has opened up well and it could have been even better. He carded three birdies on his front nine but returned in disappointment.

He followed up a double bogey at the third with a bogey at five to finish with a level par 72.

Graeme Storm, the Hartlepool pro, did not have the best of days after shooting a four over 76 along with Stocksfield’s Chris Paisley.