Christy O'Connor junior made an emotional return to competitive golf after shooting an opening round of 69, three under par, to lie a shot off the lead in the Senior Tournament of Champions at the Buckinghamshire Club in Denham, England.

O'Connor, playing his first tournament since his 17-year-old son Darren died in a car crash last month, said: "I had a rough day inside regarding my son. I felt awful but played well."

O'Connor, Liam Higgins and Eddie Polland were in a group of six lying one shot behind the firstround leader, American Bill Brask.