Thu Apr 3 16:01:20 2008

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Martin, Bourdy set course record in Portugal

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Estoril, Portugal (Sports Network) - Defending champion Pablo Martin and Frenchman Gregory Bourdy posted matching eight-under 63s Thursday to share the first-round lead at the Open de Portugal.

They both set a new course record at Oitavos Dunes. Simon Dyson set the old mark of 64 in 2005.

Sweden's Michael Jonzon was joined at minus-seven in third place by Spaniards Jose Manuel Lara and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.

When he won last year, Martin became the first amateur to ever win on the European Tour.

"It's great to start with the course record," Martin said. "I'm happy to be here and hitting the ball well. I've been hitting the ball really well. I'm pretty confident with my game."

The young Spaniard got off to a fast start with birdies on one and two. He was able to turn in minus-four thanks to birdies on the fifth and seventh.

Martin moved within one of the lead thanks to birdies on 11 and 13. He rolled in a five-footer for birdie on the par-three 15th.

After leaving a 25-foot birdie putt short on the 16th, Martin moved into the lead with a kick-in birdie at the last.

"It was a good shot - seven iron from 183 yards," Martin said of his approach which stopped inches from the hole at the last. "It was a good shot, but it's the first day and there is still a long way to go."

Bourdy, who played four groups behind Martin, had a streaky round to catch his fellow leader.

The Frenchman ran off five straight pars to open his round. He followed that with three birdies consecutive from the sixth.

Around the turn, Bourdy poured in four birdies in a five-hole stretch from the 10th to climb within one of the lead. He birdied the par-five 16th to join Martin at minus-eight.

"I didn't even know about the course record until I signed the card so it's always nice to hear that at the end of your round," stated Bourdy. "Eight- under was a great score, it was a perfect day and my driving was starting to come back which was very important for me. I am really happy."

Charl Schwartzel, James Kamte, Simon Khan, Francois Delamontagne and Alastair Forsyth are tied for sixth place at six-under-par 65.

David Howell and last week's winner Thomas Levet are part of a group tied for 14th at minus-four. Oliver Fisher and Darren Clarke are one back at three- under-par 68.