Harrington goes close to course record

Padraig Harrington fired a brilliant eight-under-par 64 to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Algarve Portuguese Open.

Harrington carded eight birdies and an eagle and only missed out on equalling playing partner Colin Montgomerie's 12-yearold course record when he dropped his second shot of the day on the 18th hole.

Montgomerie, who won his first European Tour title at the Quinta do Lago venue in 1989, struggled to a one-over-par 73, nine shots off the lead.

England's in-form David Lynn, Sweden's Niclas Fasth, Ireland's David Higgins and former Ryder Cup player David Gilford shared second place on six under par with a further four players another stroke adrift including English pair Ian Poulter and David Howell.

Paul McGinley finished the day with a one-under-par 71, seven shots off the pace. Gary Murphy is a further shot back on 72 while Ronan Rafferty and Des Smyth both shot 73. Philip Walton and Eamonn Darcy are well down the field after shooting scores of 74 and 75 respectively.

"It was very difficult when the wind got up in the afternoon as expected and I'm delighted with that score," said Harrington, who finished second, fifth and second in consecutive weeks in Malaysia, Singapore and Dubai earlier this season.

"I would have been very pleased with two or three under so I'm particularly happy to be leading the tournament.

"I had no idea about the course record but it was a pity about the last. I hit a beautiful shot out from under the trees, probably the best contact all day, but it just ran too far, but I can't complain in all fairness.

"I had a new driver in the bag with more loft today but it will be getting the sack! I didn't feel comfortable with it at all into the wind so I do feel a bit fortunate to have shot 64, although a 67 or 68 would have been a comfortable score.

"I holed a lot of good putts, including one from 40 feet for birdie on the 11th, and the four shortest ones I had all day I missed! I didn't strike the ball in any tremendous way at all but it was a good day mentally in that I was fresh and didn't get disappointed with a couple of miss-hits early on."

The one worry for the 29year-old Dubliner on an otherwise perfect day was the non-arrival of his favourite visors which he had left in coach Bob Torrance's house last week. Sporting a baseball cap instead Harrington revealed he was paying a considerable sum to have them couriered to the Algarve.

Lynn had posted his score earlier in the day in the calmer conditions despite playing the course almost blind in more ways than one.

The 27-year-old was unable to practice at Quinta do Lago after arriving on Tuesday evening and not being in Wednesday's pro-am, and also had problems with his contact lenses and hay fever. A par was safely secured on the 10th - his opening hole - and a five iron to 10 feet on the par-three 11th set up his first birdie of the day with six more to follow, the only blemish coming as he failed to get up and down from a greenside bunker on the par-three seventh.

Higgins graduated from the Challenge Tour last year, finishing second in the Order of Merit to Sweden's Henrik Stenson, and has already finished eighth in Qatar this season.

"This is one of my best rounds for a while," said the 28year-old from Waterville after carding six birdies and no dropped shots. "I did have a 68 in the last round in Qatar but missed three cuts after that so hopefully this is the start of the way back for me."

Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance shot a one-under-par 71 while Roger Chapman celebrated his 500th tournament appearance with a 68 and defending champion Gary Orr carded a 70 along with Justin Rose.