Herbert leads in Portugal as Garcia shoots opening 66

VILAMOURA ( Portugal): Australian Lucas Herbert (pic) carded a sparkling eight-under first-round 63 to take a one-shot lead in the Portugal Masters as Sergio Garcia warmed up for next week’s Ryder Cup with an opening 66.

Starting on the back nine, Herbert led the way at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, with four birdies and an eagle to turn in six-under before adding two more birdies on to overtake early pace-setters Matt Wallace and Eddie Pepperell on Thursday.

Herbert was one stroke ahead of English pair Eddie Pepperell and Matt Wallace and Shane Lowry of Ireland, and two in front of Haotong Li of China.

Garcia, named as a wildcard in the European Ryder Cup team, shared sixth place in a group of 10 players on five-under.

The Spaniard missed the cut in all four Majors this year but made an encouraging start in Vilamoura with birdies on the 10th, 12th and 14th holes to turn in three- under.

He added four more birdies on the front nine and despite bogeys at the third and seventh holes, Garcia was pleased not to show more signs of ring rust after taking a monthlong break from golf.

“More than anything it’s nice to be out here and ... get the competitive juices going,” said Garcia, whose last tournament appearance was at the PGA Championship in August.

“Obviously, I want to try to put together as many good rounds as possible but next week is different.

“The pressure is different, the atmosphere is different and I’m very excited for it.

“I would have loved it to be a little better. I played well, I didn’t play extraordinarily. I still feel like I left easily three or four shots out there, a couple of easy birdie putts here and there.” – Reuters