Padraig Harrington’s prediction came true today as the longest course in Irish Open history had to be shortened by more than 100 yards.

Harrington won the JP McManus Invitational pro-am at Adare Manor two years ago, shooting scores of 67 and 63 to win by six shots and leave the likes of Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Colin Montgomerie trailing in his wake.

However, that was in glorious sunshine and with wind and rain forecast this week, Harrington correctly predicted the 7,453-yard course may have to be altered to cope with the conditions.

“I played it three weeks ago on a beautiful sunny day and it played fantastic,” said the 35-year-old Dubliner, who was among the afternoon starters today. “I played it yesterday and it was tough.

“I’m fully confident the tournament director understands the requirements so I would suggest this course will not play like what guys saw yesterday.

“A lot of shots yesterday I didn’t even play off the very back of the tees because I know we won’t be falling off the back of the tee boxes because there is no need.”

A total of eight changes were made before play got under way in Thursday’s first round, the biggest coming at the third and 11th where the tees were moved forward 40 yards, although the par-five ninth remains a daunting 631 yards.

The back tee on the 444-yard 14th will not be used all week to give the players a chance to cope with rough Paul McGinley described as “US Open-style”.

Sweden’s Alexander Noren was setting the early pace at two under after six holes, with McGinley level par after three and playing partner and defending champion Thomas Bjorn one over.

Noren did not hold onto his lead for long, bogeys at the seventh and eighth dropping him back to level par, alongside last week’s winner Lee Westwood.

Westwood, who had gone almost four years without a win before victory in the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia, had bogeyed the 10th - his opening hole - but then carded six straight pars and a birdie on the 17th to lie just one off the lead.

Six players shared the lead on one under par, including England’s Richard Bland and David Lynn and Ireland’s Gary Murphy, while McGinley was one over and Bjorn three over.

With all 78 morning starters out on the course, only six were under par with former Ryder Cup player Jarmo Sandelin leading on two under after 11 holes.

Westwood remained level par after 11 and was joined by McGinley, who described Adare Manor as his favourite inland course in Ireland, after the Dubliner picked up birdies at the 18th and first.