Des Smyth was pleased to note the absence of any significant rust yesterday as he played his first competitive round since November. And a one-under-par 71 gave him the gross prize in the Benson and Hedges Links Society Outing at Royal Dublin.

Headfort professional Brendan McGovern also shot a 71, but his one-stroke advantage in handicap secured the top, net prize ahead of Joe Sommers from Co Louth. As it happened, McGovern would still have outscored his rival, given a superior last six which included a splendid three on the 18th where he hit a sevenwood second shot to four feet.

Smyth, who is not returning to European action until the Portuguese Open next month, tried out a new, conventional putter with considerable success. In fact he holed efforts of 20 feet, 30 feet and 40 feet for birdies at the eighth, ninth and 18th.

In a fresh wind blowing out to sea, the outward journey remained the scoring nine. And when they turned for home, Colm Moriarty, who plays off plus-two out of Athlone, was one of the few players to get home in two at the 470-yard 10th.