Sullivan catches Scot with storming 61

Andy Sullivan shot a magnificent 10-under-par 61 in his second round to earn a share of the lead with Scotland’s Marc Warren at the Portugal Masters.

The 30-year-old Ryder Cup player carded four birdies to reach the turn in 31 and then added another six birdies during a brilliant back nine to move on to 14 under for the tournament.

That left the defending champion level with Warren, who shot a 65, with Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (63) and Sweden’s Jens Fahrbring (64) a further shot back.

Sullivan was not the only player to record a 61 yesterday.

Scot Richie Ramsay had earlier achieved that feat in a round that included 11 birdies and a single bogey, leaving him in a group – which also includes Paul Lawrie – four shots adrift.

The 10-under scores equal the lowest round of the season on the European Tour, matching Tyrrell Hatton’s 62 at St Andrews at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

Leading scores(Gbr & Irl unless stated, par 71):

128 Andrew Sullivan 67 61, Marc Warren 63 65

129 Jens Fahrbring (Swe) 65 64, Padraig Harrington 66 63 130 David Lipsky (USA) 64 66 131 Edouard Espana (Fra) 65 66, Paul Waring 67 64, Mikko Korhonen (Fin) 64 67, Raphael Jacquelin (Fra) 66 65

132 Richie Ramsay 71 61, Paul Lawrie 66 66, Callum Shinkwin 64 68, Joakim Lagergren (Swe) 66 66, Simon Dyson 67 65, Chris Paisley 65 67, Nacho Elvira (Spa) 65 67, Trevor Fisher (Rsa) 69 63 Other scores included: 133 Scott Jamieson 69 64 134 David Drysdale 69 65 135 Stephen Gallacher 67 68 138 Thomas Pieters (Bel) 69 69 Non-qualifiers included: 139 Craig Lee 73 66 140 Eddie Pepperell 64 76 145 Jamie McLeary 75 70, Andrew McArthur 70 75