Webster outscored everyone across the three Dunhill courses

England's Steve Webster leads the Dunhill Links Championship by a shot from four other players after the first round.

The event, which also features an array of celebrities, is played at Carnoustie, St Andrews and Kingsbarns.

Webster, back in action after a month's lay-off with a bad back, hit a seven-under round of 65 at Carnoustie.

"I'm not getting carried away, but I'm delighted because I've never broken 70 at Carnoustie before," he said.

Webster, the 2005 Italian Open winner, was only a stroke off the course record.

Padraig Harrington, returning to the scene of his Open triumph at Carnoustie, fired a two-under 70, but declared himself happy with his round.

"I was struggling a bit with the back - it was really sore down the right side and it's still a bit sore now Steve Webster

"I spent a lot of the round reliving the shots from the Open," admitted the Irishman, who sealed victory in last year's Dunhill event at St Andrews.

"The fact that I'm the Open champion probably put a little bit of extra expectation on me, so I'm pretty pleased with myself."

The 36-year-old currently leads the European Order of Merit by �220,000 from Britain's Justin Rose, who shot a four-under 68, also at Carnoustie.

Harrington added: "This is one of four big-money events to come and one of the chasing pack behind me is going to win one of them.

"I'd be unlucky not to win the Order of Merit if I won one of them and that's my goal."

Soren Hansen, one of those just behind Harrington in the money list, Scot Paul Lawrie - another Carnoustie Open winner - South African Hennie Otto and Aussie Scott Strange are tied for second place.

World number five Ernie Els and Finn Mikko Ilonen, looking for a third title of the season, are in the group two shots off the lead.