Early birdie burst helps Warren set pace

Scotland’s Marc Warren shot an eight under par 63 to top the leaderboard after the opening day of the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura.

The 35-year-old began with six successive birdies at Victoria Clube de Golfe before adding a further three after a bogey on the seventh.

Fellow Briton Eddie Pepperell also made a strong start as he seeks to secure his Tour card for next season.

The 25-year-old, who needs to retain his current ranking to make the cut, sits one shot off the overnight lead in joint-second position with Finn Mikko Korhonen, America’s David Lipsky and the British pair of Matthew Baldwin and Callum Shinkwin.

Baldwin, 30, needs a top-two finish this week to keep his card and made eight birdies in the opening round, although a bogey on the seventh blotted his copybook.

Chris Paisley is among a group of five players a shot further back on six under, along with Swede Jens Fahrbring, who also needs a top-two finish, and Spaniards Alejandro Canizares and Nacho Elvira.

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington, who chipped in for an eagle on the par-four 15th, will resume on five under today, with Aberdeen’s Paul Lawrie also shooting a 66.

Stephen Gallacher is alongside defending champion Andy Sullivan four strokes off the pace on four under.

Marc Warren: nine birdies in his opening round.