EUROPEAN TOUR PORTUGUESE OPEN:UNFANCIED ENGLISHMAN Luke Goddard birdied his last four holes to snatch a share of the first-round lead alongside Ireland's Damien McGrane at the Estoril Portuguese Open yesterday.
McGrane, the world number 220, hit a bogey-free round and picked up eight birdies – including three in a row between the 11th and 13th – to take take the clubhouse lead.
Then Goddard, ranked 1349 in the world, picked up shots at the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth to join him on an eight-under 64.
Goddard had earlier picked up four strokes on the back nine, with two birdies and an eagle two at the 11th at the Penha Longa Golf Club.
Dane Eirik Tage Johansen and Welshman Stuart Manley were one shot back after shooting 65s, Johansen collecting seven birdies and a bogey.
Manley enjoyed a more mixed round, with five birdies and eagles at the sixth and 12th marred by a pair of bogeys.
Another English representative, Richard Bland, was two back for a share of fifth with Andrew Tampion but Chris Wood – the highest ranked player in the field at 81st – was part of an 11-man tie for 23 having signed for 69.
Gary Murphy was next best of the Irish with a one-under par 71, Simon Thornton shot a 73 while Darren Clarke was two more shots back following an opening 75.
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