Joost Luiten and George Coetzee grab a share of the lead after the opening round of the Portugal Masters, 2016 champion Padraig Harrington lurks three back.
Coetzee and Dutchman Joost Luiten both carded fine rounds of 64 in fantastic scoring conditions. They took a one-shot lead over England’s Callum Shinkwin who pleased fans with a 65.
“That’s what you want every day,” said Luiten. “I knew my game wasn’t far off and the good thing about golf is there’s always next week and this week it feels nice.”
Frenchman Gregory Havert carded a 6-under 65 and spoke highly the course after his opening round:
“Early birdies are always a nice thing especially on the first that is not the easiest hole on the course. There were hardly any mistakes. I’m pretty pleased with what happened today. If you play well you shoot low because the setting is perfect. You have opportunities on the par fives and a few short par fours and if you manage well to play the hard holes you can do really well and that’s what happened today.”
Take a look at the days play through pictures and the best stats from europeantour.com.
Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course has hosted the Portugal Masters for an eleventh straight year in 2017. Nino Bertasio of Italy tees off on the par-4 15th hole.
An Arnold Palmer designed course it first hosted the Portugal Masters in 2007 and previously was home to the 2005 World Cup, won by team Wales.
The course in the Algarve plays to 7,146-yards and a par of 71. Looks glorious in the sun but presents a challenge to all who play, placing a premium on finding the fairways and avoiding water hazards.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington, who claimed a one shot victory last year, posted 67 in round one to be just three back.
Joost Luiten was quick off the morning mark, carding seven birdies in a blemish-free round, to grab a share of the early lead.
George Coetzee wasted no time in the afternoon and birdied 5 of his opening 6 holes to reach 7-under and shoot 64 to join Luiten at the top.
England's Callum Shinkwin is just one back with France's, Gregory Havert after rounds of 65. The face says it all.
Shot of the Day: Ryan McCarthy of Australia makes a hole out eagle on the 11th hole from 133 yards out, with a pitching wedge.
The dutchman's bogey-free round of 64 was his lowest of the season and the second time in 2017 he's gone blemish free.
Making his professional debut yesterday, Jack Singh Brar, went low in round one shooting 67 in his first pro round. Topping the likes of Connor Syme, his Walker Cup team mate.
Another grinding round for the 2016 Masters champion. Danny Willett recorded a level-par 71 in an up-and-down opening round. Struggling off the tee his short game kept the score from turning sour, just one birdie and one bogey.
A steady round for Irishman Shane Lowry, with three birdies and one bogey on his way to a 2-under 69.
Thomas Pieters is the the highest-ranked player in the field this week. But left a bad taste in his mouth after he bogeyed his final hole to card an opening-round 69.
No defending champion at the Portugal Masters, in its 10 years, has successfully defended their title.
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