Canadian Open: Rory McIlroy starts well as Keegan Bradley argues

McIlroy is preparing for next week's US OpenCanadian Open in the first round leaderboard-7: K Bradley (US); -6: S Lowry (Ire) S Im (Kor), N Taylor (Can), E Van Rooyen (SA); Others: -5: G McDowell (NI); -4: D Willett (Eng); -3: R Mclroy (NI); -1: L Donald (Eng), M Laird (Sco); +1: D Johnson (US)

Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland shot a row of three under-seventy 67 in his debut to leader Keegan Bradley in the Canadian Open with four shots after round.

In next week's US Open event, McIlroy, 30, dropped two shots but found five birdies in his round.

Shane Lowry of Ireland fired seven birdies to sit down for six seconds on six underneath, one behind American Bradley.

Graeme McDowell in Northern Ireland is five, while the English Danny Willett is four.

A strong show could show McDowell a safe qualification for the Open, which is being held in his hometown at Royal Portrush in July

The 39-year-old still has to secure a place for the tournament, but there are three places available through the Canadian Open for players who still have to qualify but finish in the top 10.

World number two Dustin Johnson – who will be one of the favorites for the next, the third major championship of the season at Pebble Beach – one is more than right after fighting early with five bogeys in its first nine holes.

Bradley, the winner of the 2011 US PGA Championship, added the event to his last-minute schedule and said he had produced one of his best ball brushes this year.

"I am grateful that I did, but I want to continue," said the 32-year-old. "It has not been the whole year that I wanted, but that can change very quickly.

" I knew that if I could just put myself in the water, what I did today, I would have had short irons, and I'm properly dialed in now. I was able to get really close and then close those putts. "