THE SIDELINES : Calcavecchia Leads Irish Open

Mark Calcavecchia, the British Open champion from the United States, fired a 6-under-par 66 today and took the first-round lead in the Irish Open.

Spaniard Jose-Maria Olazabal and Frenchman Marc Farry were tied for second at 67.

“I came here real worried about my game, so it’s great to get off to a start like that,” Calcavecchia said.

His score could have been even better had he heeded his wife’s advice.

Sheryl Calcavecchia, acting as her husband’s caddy on their first visit to Ireland, suggested that an eight-foot birdie putt would swing to the right.

“I didn’t think it would and I missed it,” Calcavecchia said.