Wallace storms ahead

PORTIMAO: England’s Matt Wallace conjured up a 10-under par 63 to lead the Portugal Open before Thursday’s first round was suspended due to thunder and lightning.

The 27-year-old reeled off 10 birdies — including five in a row from the 12th — to establish a one shot lead over Sebastian Heisele.

Germany’s Heisele carded an eagle, nine birdies and two bogeys in his opening 64.

American Julian Suri and Englishmen Paul Maddy and Jamie Rutherford were a further two shots back on six under after posting matching rounds of 67.

“It was a fantastic round really,” Wallace said after his impressive day’s work at Morgado Golf Resort at Portimao.

“It wasn’t looking great at the start when the rain came in ten minutes before my tee time. Then it stopped just as we got on to the tee, so that was kind of a good omen.

“It was the old cliché. I just took one shot at a time and we had a really good day out there.” AFP