Belgium’s popular Nicolas Colsearts used his renouwned length off the tee to first snatch the lead with a seven under par 64 before being joined close to 7pm local time by England’s Andy Sullivan.
The big-hitting Colsaerts had posted a round of 60 in the opening round a year ago but under a ‘preferred lie’ rule.
The 32-year old Colsaerts got off to a flying start from the tenth picking up shots on the 11th, 12th, 13th and 15th before an eagle on the 17th catapulted him to six under.
Five pars then slowed his momentum but a deft chip in from the edge of the fifth green handed him another eagle before a dropped shot on the seventh provided the only blemish on his card.
Nicolas COLSAERTS (BEL) tees off the 1st tee during Thursday’s Round 1 of the Portugal Masters 2015 held at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura Algarve, Portugal. 15-18th October 2015.
Picture: Eoin Clarke | Golffile
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Eoin Clarke)
“I have a pretty good record in this place,” he said. “I’ve played well in the past. I feel comfortable. I’ve played well here before.
“I think I gave myself enough chances throughout the day. I missed a couple that I had good looks at but then it’s just the way it is.
“I’m quite happy with seven under. Maybe I had an eight, nine, maybe ten, but seven under is always a good start.” Nicolas Colsaerts
He picked up five shots on the par fives, including that pair of eagles, and admitted that his length off the tee handed him a considerable advantage.
“There’s a couple of holes where I can take short cuts,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter if I hit it on the fairway or rough, even though the rough is a bit higher this year.
“There’s a couple of holes where you have still got to be a bit careful. I would rather come with a pitching wedge from the rough than a seven or six iron from the fairway.
“It is one of those courses where hitting it a long way is definitely an advantage.”
England’s Andy Sullivan looking very pleased after his round of a seven under par 64 tied the lead on day one of the Portugal Masters.
Sullivan was a picture of consistency as birdies on the second, fifth, seventh and eighth got him to the turn in 31 and further gains at the 11th, 12th and 15th handed him a share of the lead.
He dropped a shot on the 16th but gained it back on the next and can reflect on an impressive start as he goes in search of a third European Tour title of the season.
“I made a real good swing on seven and then from there on I just seemed to gain confidence in my game,” he said. “I hit a lot of good shots through the middle part of the round that really got me going.
“I’m putting nicely as well for a change. It was nice to see the ball go in the hole for a change.
“I was frustrated with (the bogey on the 16th) really because I hit two good putts. Obviously, to come straight back with a birdie was really pleasing.
“I was hoping to sneak one on the last, as well, just to get one ahead. But overall a really pleasing day.”
Four players – Belgium’s Thomas Pieters, Scotland’s David Drysdale, Spain’s Eduarod De La Riva and South African Thomas Aitken, and with his wife Kate on the bag – share third place with rounds of six under par 65s.
