The €790,000 first prize gave the Dubliner the chance to overhaul last year’s winner Retief Goosen at the top of the money list, and the pair are separated by just under €53,700 going into the final two events.

Harrington can overhaul the South African, who is playing in the US Tour championship instead, with a top four finish on Sunday, although even a victory will still see the race go down to the final event, the Volvo Masters at Valderrama, next week.

However, he was being comprehensively out-played by playing partner Paul Lawrie in the first round at Olgiata Golf Club this morning, and found himself five shots off the pace after just nine holes.

Starting on the 10th, Harrington opened with five pars before a birdie on the 15th, but then saw a crucial three shot swing to Lawrie on the par five 17th.

Lawrie, who was already three under after birdies at 11, 13 and 15, took advantage of the relatively short par five to card an eagle three, while Harrington ran up a bogey six.

Both players parred the 18th which meant Lawrie was out in 31, five under par and a two-shot lead over Sweden’s Patrik Sjoland, France’s Thomas Levet and Miles Tunnicliff, with Harrington having to settle for a level par 36.

Gregory Havret’s defence of his title was already almost certainly over after just nine holes, the Frenchman stumbling to the turn in 43, seven over par.