With the season slowly approaching its crescendo, the European Tour once again returned to the stunning conditions of Vilamoura for the seventh edition of the Portugal Masters. This Arnold Palmer designed layout is typically lavished with perfect weather each year, resulting in a bunched and low scoring leaderboard. Today was no exception, with 88 players all within six shots of the lead after the opening round. At the summit of that leaderboard is an eclectic group of six, all of whom have their own motivations as the season reaches its climax.
After being part of the Great Britain and Ireland side that narrowly lost the Seve Trophy to Continental Europe last week, Jamie Donaldson and David Lynn are among the leaders at 6-under alongside Alvaro Quiros, Simon Thornton, Max Kieffer and Felipe Aguilar.
They all posted opening rounds of 65 on the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course, while Donaldson had threatened to go one shot lower. The Welshman had reached seven-under for his round, before dropping a shot at his penultimate hole with a three-putt at the eighth. Playing in the group behind, David Lynn would have a more positive finish, with three birdies in his final five holes taking him to 6-under as he seeks just his second win on the European Tour.
After his round, Donaldson reflected on what was an enjoyably week at the Seve Trophy. “It was good playing under tough competitive conditions so it’s nice to play well and just bring it on to this week,” said Donaldson. “Those team events were fantastic; we had great fun all week.”
David Lynn wasn’t able to enjoy last week to the full, as he suffered from the flu. However, the Englishman’s performance in the opening round was the perfect tonic, and also a requirement as he seeks to finish inside the top 60 in the Race to Dubai to qualify for the season ending DP World Tour Championship.
“I keep taking medication but a 65 cures any ailments,” said Lynn. “If I don’t pull my finger out this week I’m not going to make The Race to Dubai.”
Alvaro Quiros has been a regular in Dubai, but at 106th in the money list, he has significant work ahead if he wishes to be there this November. Quiros won each year on the Tour between 2006-2011, including in this event in 2008. However, a wrist injury that would take him out of the game for five months last year has curtailed his career. But with recent top tens in Italy and Ireland, the 30-year-old who now lives in Portugal looks to be close to his best form once again.
“It was a good fight after being two over after five holes,” said the 30-year-old Spaniard, who played his back nine in just 29 shots.
”I was putting beautifully and that was the key.
”This is my second home tournament and now that I’m living here I have to consider Portugal home. It’s always good, this event has been special since I’ve been coming here.”
Simon Thornton blew an opportunity to win in Italy a few weeks ago after a final round of 74, but he has provided himself with an opportunity to contend once again this weekend.
“I played lovely, it’s always nice to get off to a good start,” said the Irishman who won in Saint Omer earlier in the year. “I hit it straight off the tee and had lots of chances. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been playing much more consistently.”
Max Kieffer ascended to the summit of the leaderboard late in the day, and it is another performance that underlines the German’s credentials as being a possible rookie of the year. However, the 23-year-old believes that he could have gone even lower than his opening 65.
“It was a good round today,” he said. “It was good fun – I played really good.
”I had so many shots close and there were a lot of good putts that didn’t go in. I’m surprised nobody shot really low.”
Two more Seve Trophy team members are a shot off the lead, with Chris Wood and Scott Jamieson opening with rounds of 66. Also on that five-under mark is former Ryder Cup player Soren Hansen, and Mark Tullo, who are both fighting to finish inside the top 110 in the Race to Dubai to retain their playing cards for 2014. Time is running out, however, as the Perth International in Australia is the final counting event for these players battling for their careers.