Portuguese Open:Spaniard Pablo Martin underlined his determination to retain the Portuguese Open title yesterday when he broke the Oitavos Dunes course record with an eight-under 63.
Martin, the first amateur to win on the European Tour, produced a flawless card of eight birdies to beat the record by a stroke 30 minutes before Frenchman Gregory Bourdy joined him on top of the leaderboard with the same score.
The pair head another Spaniard, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, whose morning round of 64 was later matched by compatriot Jose Manuel Lara and Swede Michael Jonzon.
A stunning approach with a seven-iron from 183 yards to just 15 inches for a final birdie on the notorious 18th hole highlighted Martin's return to the course where he bettered the professionals last year.
"I was pretty focused right from the beginning," said Martin. "I had extra motivation in defending my title, it makes you care more about the week."
Martin's professional career has not exactly taken off since he switched from the amateur ranks last June but the young Spaniard hopes that once again the Oitavos course will provide him with a milestone.
He also hopes a switch to a belly-putter three weeks ago has cured a malaise on the greens.
"I'd been playing terrible this year, missing cuts and making big numbers but at Bayhill (Arnold Palmer Invitational) a couple of weeks ago I finished 21st and I was second in greens in regulation.
"But I wasn't putting very well and that's why I've switched to a belly putter."
Bourdy has had an unimpressive season since winning his maiden full tour title in the penultimate tournament of the 2007 season, the Majorca Classic, but the Frenchman was back on song with a similar eight-birdie return.
"This was my best score on the European Tour and my best career performance," said Bourdy. "I'd like to repeat that feeling of last year in Majorca now."
Damien McGrane leads the Irish challenge after an opening 67, which included an eagle three at the 16th, while Darren Clarke made an excellent start before missing out on the opportunity to assert his title claims.
Clarke raced to six under after nine holes, but three bogeys thwarted his progress to finish on three-under 68.
Clarke's superb front nine saw him register a lead of three strokes at the turn.
But his indifferent putting on his back nine saw the Northern Irishman lose ground.
"My game is fine, but I'm wasting shots - any momentum I am getting I am giving back," said Clarke.
Rory McIlroy just missed out on winning a sports car when his tee shot just missed the hole at the 348-yard 11th, but putted for a valuable eagle from two feet.
McIlroy lost ground when he double-bogeyed the 18th, having a double hit after his drive finished close to an out of bounds fence, and had to settle for a 69.
Paul McGinley is also on 69 while Gary Murphy, who double-bogeyed the 17th, shot 70 and Peter Lawrie a one-over-par 72.
Scotland's Alastair Forsyth, winner of the Madeira Islands Open BPI - Portugal title a fortnight ago, continued his fine Portuguese form with a six under par 65 to join Frenchman François Delamontagne, England's Simon Khan and the South African duo of James Kamte and Charl Schwartzel in sixth place.
