Masters champion Danny Willett returned to Europe on an impressive high to upstage tournament host Rory McIlroy on the opening day of the Irish Open. Willett sank eight birdies in a seven-under-par 65 to lead McIlroy by two shots in bright but windy conditions on the K Club course just to the south of Dublin. World number nine Willett and McIlroy, who is presently third in the world rankings, were in a class of their own with both players dropping just one shot in their opening rounds.
