Thursday 30 July 2015 22:01, UK
Spain's Antonio Hortal fired a nine-under 63 to steal the Madeira Islands Open first round lead from compatriot Nacho Elvira.
Hortal recovered from an early blemish at the second to card eight birdies and an eagle-three at the seventh to move one-shot clear at Clube de Golf do Santo da Serra.
His Spanish rival Elvira had topped the leaderboard for most of the day after posting eight gains of his own during a bogey-free 64, only to lose advantage when Hortal posted a two at the par-three 17th.
"I started with an early bogey but then I started to play very well," Hortal said. "I started to hole a lot of putts and drove very well too. That's key on this course, to drive it well and take your opportunities.
"I started to hole them from 10 feet in before the turn and that's how I continued during the whole round. That (the eagle at the seventh) took me to two under so that really made me feel like I could go and have a low round.
"I'm not thinking about winning yet though. I'm just thinking about playing hole by hole and I'll see where that takes me."
New Zealand's Ryan Fox is tied in third on seven under along with Frenchman Sebastien Gros, who eagled both of the par-fives on the front nine.
Denmark's JB Hansen led the Madeira stakes back in March when the tournament had to be abandoned due to bad weather. He's started with a solid five-under 67 this time around, leaving himself firmly in contention.
Scotland's Scott Henry is locked in an eight-way tie for fifth place at six under, alongside Wales' Stuart Manley and England's Chris Paisley, while Ireland's Kevin Phelan is part of the group at three under.
