Ireland’s David Higgins made a blistering start to his Portuguese Open campaign and enjoys a share of the lead in the Algarve today.
Higgins, a challenge Tour graduate from last year, fired an opening round six-under 66 and joins Sweden’s Niclas Fasth and England’s David Lynn at the top of the leaderboard.
"This is one of my best rounds for a while," said the Waterville player who carded a bogey free round consisting of six birdies and the rest pars.
"The course is set up for my game, the greens are tricky but if you can stay patient and keep it below the hole you can make some putts," added Higgins.
Sweden’s Patrik Sjoland, winner of last year’s Irish Open in Ballybunion, shares second on five-under with England’s Davis Howell and Elliot Boult from New Zealand. Boult would have shared the lead had he not three-putted the last green.
There are a total of eight Irish players in the field and Padraig Harrington is making the most ground in pursuit of his fellow countryman Higgins.Having opened with a par, the Dubliner put a string of three birdies together from the second and is currently three-under after six holes.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is how well Ronan Rafferty has started after struggling to find any consistent form in recent years.The 1989 European Order of Merit winner is three-under after six holes with birdies at the 10th - his first - 12th and 14th.
Paul McGinley finished two shots further back after carding a one-under par 71, while Gary Murphy finished with a level par 72.This year’s Madeira Island Open winner, Des Smyth, is also level but the veteran has only played three holes.
The final two players making up the Irish contingent in the Algarve, Philip Walton and Eamonn Darcy shot rounds of 74 and 75 respectively.Both former Ryder Cup stars will have to shoot under par rounds tomorrow to ensure they are around for the weekend.
Quotes from PA